TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Suntana said that the Jakarta Police has identified individuals behind the hate banners installed at several areas in the Capital approaching the second round of the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election.
"We have identified several names. We will investigate and legally process them," Suntana said at the Jakarta Police Headquarter on Tuesday, March 21, 2017.
However, Suntana refused to reveal the names and promised that the Jakarta Police will objectively investigate the case. Suntana also called on public not to put up similar banners.
"They can spark social conflicts among people in Jakarta," Suntana added.
Earlier, the Jakarta Police, in collaboration with the Elections Supervisory Committee (Panwaslu) and the Public Order Agency (Satpol PP) took down banners emblazoned with provocative messages and hate speeches related to the second round of the Jakarta Gubernatorial Election.
One of the messages that went viral on social media was a call on Muslims not to perform funeral prayers for deceased Muslims found to have voted for incumbent Jakarta Gubernatorial candidate Basuki Tjahaja Purnama or Ahok. By March 13, as many as 147 banners containing hate speeches had been taken down by Police.
INGE KLARA SAFITRI