TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Riau Police reportedly detained a man identified as “WP” who allegedly committed slander and hate speech against Indonesian President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo. The man who works as a freelancer in Tanjungpinang City in the Riau Islands was nabbed on Sunday, April 5.
“We are charging him for allegedly violating Law No.11/2008 on electronic transactions and information and Article 28 (1) of the criminal code,” said the Riau Islands’ police chief Grand Commissioner Harry Goldenhardt in today’s press release.
According to the police chief, the offending content committed by suspect “WP” was contained in his comment in replying to another user’s Facebook post. The suspect’s reply is allegedly a meme that defiles President Jokowi.
Police claim the suspect’s online content was a harmless joke quipping the government’s performance and also expressed his disdain towards the president. Authorities have confiscated the suspect’s mobile phone, SIM cards, micro SD card, ID card, and printouts of the suspect’s post in his personal Facebook account.
