TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Central Jakarta Police have named a college lecturer and one of his students as suspects after the pair staged a video of a street altercation at a pedestrian crossing in Central Jakarta’s Jalan Thamrin.

Police argue that the video caused an uproar and will charge the pair for violation against the Information and Electronic Transaction Law (ITE Law). The suspects will potentially face up to 10-years imprisonment.

“We have named them suspects after they published fake news and caused a fracas. They face jail time up to 10-years behind bars,” said Central Jakarta Metro Police Senior Commissioner Heru Novianto today, Feb. 19.

The video that went viral showed the young private-university lecturer involved in an altercation with two other men who were crossing the street opposite to him. Police claim that the lecturer’s motive in producing a staged public altercation was to increase followers and views on social media platforms.

“The reason was to grow the number of viewers and followers to seek profit from endorsements,” said Heru.

Asked by reporters present at the police station, the lecturer admits that it was not his intention to create public disruption and he deemed it had entertainment value. “I didn’t think about its future impact. I didn’t think that far,” said the lecturer.

The video overseen by the ITE Law was first shared by an Instagram account called @peduli_jakarta on Saturday, February 15, which was sourced from another Instagram account @mbx.yeyen or @mbxyeyen.

ANTARA