TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Bali police has officially named Munarman, spokesman of the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI), as a suspect for an alleged defamation against pecalang, the Balinese traditional security guards.
"We have sent a summons and warrant for investigation to Munarman at FPI headquarters in Petamburan, Jakarta," said Bali Police spokesman Adj. Comm, Hengky Widjaja said on Tuesday, February 7, 2017.
Hengky said the decision to name Munarman as a suspect was determined based on a case hearing.
Munarman is scheduled for questioning by the Bali Police's criminal division next Friday, February 10, 2017. The police have also questioned and examined 26 witnesses for the case.
Munarman was reported to the Bali Police on Monday, January 16, 2017 for what he said in a video uploaded to YouTube in June last year. In the video, Munarman accused a pecalang of stoning Muslims' houses and prohibit them from practicing the Friday prayers.
Munarman spoke without providing solid and valid evidence. The FPI spokesman is charged with violating Article 28 (2) in conjunction with Article 45 (a) (2) of Law No. 19/2016 on Information and Electronic Transactions.
On January 30, the Bali Police questioned Munarman with questions about his statement. During the questioning, anti-FPI protesters rallied in front of the police headquarters, demanding the man investigated and prosecuted.
BRAM SETIAWAN
