Facts and Chronology of Jozeph Paul Zhang Claiming to be the 26th Prophet and Challenging for Legal Action

Kapanlagi.com - The name Jozeph Paul Zhang recently went viral and became a hot topic among netizens. The reason is because he uploaded a controversial video on his Youtube channel titled Puasa Lalim Islam (Extreme Fasting in Islam).

There are several statements from Jozeph that have been criticized by the public in Indonesia in his video, ranging from topics about fasting to his claim as the 26th prophet. In fact, Jozeph boldly challenged anyone who can or dares to take legal action against him!

Missed the story? Here are the complete facts and chronology..

1. Bahas Masalah Puasa

Initially, Jozeph talked about his Muslim friends in Europe. He mentioned that his friends only fasted in the first year because they were afraid of Allah. Jozeph also criticized the fasting as excessive.

"Our theme today is the excessive fasting in Islam. It's amazing, you fast while I'm hungry! So, if we look now in Indonesia, people are fasting. But in Europe, they are not fasting anymore, they are indulging in worldly matters. Because Muslim friends in Europe fast in the first year, out of fear of Allah. In the second year, they fast half-heartedly, to test if Allah is watching or not. In the third year, they give up fasting, thinking that Allah is not watching. But why? Because Allah is All-Knowing. No, Allah is currently imprisoned in the Ka'bah," Jozeph said while laughing in his video.

2. Claiming to be the 26th Prophet

Not only discussing the issue of fasting, Jozeph also made another statement that angered the Muslim community. How could he not, he claimed to be the 26th prophet!

"Here I am, the 26th prophet, Jozeph Paul Zhang. Correcting the errors of the teachings of the 25th prophet and his extreme obscenities," he declared.

3. Challenge to be Reported to the Police

Not stopping there, Jozeph then challenged everyone to report him to the police. In fact, he offered a cash prize to anyone who could take on his challenge.

"I'm offering a challenge. I've made a video. I've made a challenge video. Whoever reports me to the police for blasphemy, I'll give them money. Please make it go viral quickly. Also, send the police report to hagios.eu@gmail.com. Once the police report is sent via email, I'll give Rp 1 million," he wrote in the comments section.

4. Real Identity

In response to this issue, the Cyber Crime Division of the Indonesian National Police (Bareskrim Polri) intervened. As reported by Detik.com, Jozeph Paul Zhang is not the real name of the man, but only a YouTube account name. It is known that his real name is Shindy Paul Soerjomoelyono.

"According to the travel records, his name is Shindy Paul Soerjomoelyono. Paul Zhang is his YouTube account name," said Brigadier General Slamet Uliandi, Director of the Cyber Crime Division of Bareskrim Polri, on Monday (19/4/2021).

Furthermore, it is known that Jozeph is currently not in Indonesia. Based on the Immigration's database, Jozeph is known to have left Indonesia for Hong Kong since January 11, 2018.

5. Response from MUI West Java

The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) West Java also commented on this issue. Rafani Achyar, Secretary of MUI West Java, considers the case of Jozeph Paul Zhang as a clear religious insult.

"So, substantively, it is clearly an insult, an insult to religion, especially Islam. In Islam, there is no prophet after Prophet Muhammad, that is already clear from that perspective. This raises the question of whether there is a disturbance scenario in Indonesia, especially during the fasting month," said Rafani Achyar, Secretary of MUI West Java, to detikcom on Monday (19/4/2021).

6. Reported to the Police

Due to the circulation of the video, several parties have started filing reports to the police, including the Law Mafia Eradication Committee (KPMH).

"We have reported the owner of the YouTube account Jozeph Paul Zhang, who is suspected of blasphemy and challenging the police to arrest him," said Husin Shahab, one of the Directors of KPMH, on Sunday (18/4/2021).

7. Polri Cooperates with Interpol to Hunt Jozeph

Meanwhile, quoted from Antara, Sunday (18/4), Bareskrim Polri is coordinating with Interpol to hunt for the whereabouts of Jozeph Paul Zhang. This is to enable Jozeph to be deported from the country where he is located.

"The mechanism of foreign police cooperation can work, whether or not the country where the person resides wants to deport the person. An arrest warrant will be issued later," said Kabareskrim Polri Komjen Agus Andrianto.

Bareskrim Polri is collaborating with foreign police and creating a wanted list (DPO) for Jozeph Paul Zhang.

"If something like that happens, a report can be made by investigators regarding intolerant content, which causes social conflict and unrest in society, damages unity and solidarity, in accordance with the Chief of Police's Circular, it will be dealt with firmly," said Agus.

(kpl/gtr)