TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has balked at commenting on the arrests of activists Dandhy Laksono and Ananda Badudu by the Jakarta Metro Police. He chose to leave reporters and asked State Secretary Pratikno to resume the interview.

Initially, the President conveyed statements on the deaths of two students of Halu Oleo University, Randy and Laode Yusuf Kardawi, and the earthquake in Ambon. Yet he then turned his back on the time journalists asked about the arrests of the two activists.

“[Let] Pak State Secretary talks first,” said Jokowi while leaving the site after performing Friday prayers at Baiturrahim Mosque, Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Friday, September 27.

However, Pratikno gave a normative answer. “I’ll communicate it with the Police Chief. Thank you,” the minister ended the talk.

Earlier reports said the Jakarta Metro Police nabbed Dandhy at his residence in Jatiwaringin Asri, Pondok Gede, Bekasi, on Thursday 11:00 p.m. The police took him to the police headquarters.

The founder of documentary production Watchdoc was named suspect on charges of violating the ITE Law for provoking issues about Papua on his social media account. Despite his suspect status, the police did not detain Dandhy.

A few hours after Dhandy’s arrest, the police apprehended former Tempo journalist Ananda Badudu. Badudu posted on his Twitter account, “I am picked up by the regional police for transferring money to students.”

Amnesty International Indonesia director, Usman Hamid, who accompanied the investigation process on Badudu, said the musician-cum-activist was grilled by the police as a witness. Ananda Badudu was then released after hours of questioning.

AHMAD FAIZ