TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) Deputy Speaker Ahmad Basarah asked the National Police to be proactive in investigating the viral video that altered the lyrics of the Indonesian national anthem in collaboration with the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM).

“I respect that the Malaysian Government through its embassy in Indonesia promises to investigate the case. But I hope the National Police are also proactive, not only relying on the investigation report of the Malaysian Police,” said Basarah in a statement here on Monday, Dec. 28.

He emphasized that the national anthem of Indonesia Raya is the dignity of the nation so that if Indonesians did not seriously respond to this case, there would possibly be hundreds of similar videos insulting Indonesia later.

According to Basarah, changing the lyrics, arrangements, and all matters related to the national anthem is strictly prohibited by the Law of the Republic of Indonesia.

The chairman of the PDIP faction also asked the Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta to thoroughly investigate the case. “We have not yet known whether the perpetrators are Malaysian, or even Indonesians so this needs clarity. It is necessary for the National Police to coordinate with the Royal Malaysian Police in investigating the case that offends our nation,” Basarah remarked.

The MPR Deputy Speaker further asked the people of the two countries to keep maintaining the ties that have been well-developed for years and are not easily provoked by baseless rumors.

Also Read: House Condemns Video Insulting Indonesian National Anthem

ANTARA