Lecturer Nabbed over FB Post Coaxing People Power, Police Killing

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The West Java Police arrested lecturer Solatun Dulah Sayuti over her Facebook post that promoted hate speech and materials enticing a “people power” rebellion on Friday, May 10, in Bandung.

“Her Facebook account is filled with hate speech material and information that could stir public unrest,” said West Java Police special crime investigator director Sr. Comr. Samudi.

According to the piece of evidence published by the police, the suspect wrote the Facebook post at around 06:35 Western Indonesia Time (WIB) on Thursday, May 9. The post garnered 71 comments and was shared by 10 people.

“The price of people’s lives during a people power movement cannot be denied: one citizen shot by the police must be paid with 10 police members killed with kitchen knives, machetes, steel crowbars, axes, fiery paint thinner and their families, too,” the FB post mentioned. 

Read: Prabowo Camp: We Will Not Join People Power

West Java Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Trunoyudho Wisnu Andiko said the suspect’s background as a lecturer and academic at one of Bandung’s private college was in contrast with her action as evident in her hateful opinions.

“The person is actually an intellectual that should be able to filter the information and not just hastily share the content,” said Trunoyudho, who acknowledged that the lecturer often posted similar Facebook posts.

Solatun Dulah Sayuti is currently facing charges up to 10 years behind bars for her action. The term “people power” re-emerged this year after opposition party figure Amien Rais mentioned it as an answer to election frauds in the 2019 general elections.

AMINUDIN (CONTRIBUTOR)