Jakarta Worker Detained for Alleged Defamation for Revealing Breach of Workplace Rights on Social Media
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Editor
5 September 2024 19:47 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The advocacy team for Septia Dwi Pertiwi from the Indonesian Legal Aid Association and SAFEnet (Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network) came to the Attorney General's Office to demand the release of Septia fro m the Central Jakarta District Attorney's Office detention.
Septia is a former worker at PT Hive Five. She was reported by the company's owner, Henry Kurnia Adhi, better known as John LBF, for alleged defamation.
"We request for the Attorney General's Office to order Septia’s release," said Septia’s team coordinator and attorney, Ganda M Sihite, at the Attorney General's Office Building on Thursday, September 5, 2024.
He explained that the worker had previously posted on social media platform X about the violations of worker’s rights she experienced with PT Hive Five. She criticized the company’s salaries below the minimum wage, unpaid overtime, working hours exceeding 8 hours, unilateral salary deductions, and the absence of pay slips.
John LBF then reported Septia to the Metro Jaya Police Department under Article 27 Paragraph (3) in conjunction with Article 45 Paragraph (3) and/or Article 36 of the IT Law. She was also reported under Article 51 Paragraph (2), Article 310, and/or Article 311 of the Criminal Code to the Polda Metro Jaya.
Ganda said Septia was cooperative during Metro Jaya Police’s probing. Hence, there was no need for the Prosecutor’s Office to detain her. He also questioned the lack of response to their request to suspend the detention.
Ganda said that Septia's detention was a form of criminalization since she was only exercising her freedom of expression. He requested the Prosecutor's Office to drop her case.
Septia was named a suspect in January 2024 and was detained by the Central Jakarta District Attorney's Office on August 26, 2024.
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