Man Litigating President Jokowi Over Diploma Named Suspect of Blasphemy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has officially named Bambang Tri Mulyono as a suspect over religious blasphemy and hate speech. Mulyono recently made headlines after accusing President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo of falsifying his college diploma, which briefly spread widely on social platforms. 

Police have also named Sugi Nur Raharja as a suspect in the same case. Raharja, also known as ‘Gus Nur’ as his internet identity, manages the Gus Nur 13 Official Youtube account. Both men were arrested on Thursday, October 13, police spokesperson commissioner Nurul Azizah said.

According to the spokesperson, Gus Nur and Bambang Tri had allegedly uploaded content that contained hate speech and blasphemy, which are violations of Indonesian laws. 

"The sources, lawyers, managers, owners, users, and or those who control the Gus Nur 13 Official YouTube account regarding hate speech based on SARA and or blasphemy," said Nurul.

Previously, a lawsuit was filed against Jokowi at the Central Jakarta District Court. Bambang Tri Mulyono – who filed the report – accuses the President of falsifying his diploma.

In one of his petitions, Bambang asked the Central Jakarta District Court to publicly state that President Jokowi had committed an unlawful act in the form of incorrect information and/or provided false documents in the form of elementary, junior high, and high school diplomas on behalf of Joko Widodo.

Bambang Tri Mulyono’s name emerged and made rounds in the past after publishing a book entitled ‘Jokowi Undercover.’ However, the book was banned due to a lack of academic scrutiny.

HAMDAN CHOLIFUDIN ISMAIL

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