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Yogyakarta royalty asks residents to forgive Florence
Yogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwono X has asked the people of Yogyakarta to follow him in forgiving Florence Sihombing for comments she made on social media that have sparked anger
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ogyakarta Governor Hamengkubuwono X has asked the people of Yogyakarta to follow him in forgiving Florence Sihombing for comments she made on social media that have sparked anger.
'Florence apologized just now and my obligation is to forgive her. I hope the community in Yogyakarta will also forgive her; no more hurt feelings,' said Hamengkubuwono after meeting with Florence at the Wilis building in the Kepatihan complex in Yogyakarta on Thursday.
During the meeting, which lasted around 20 minutes, Florence was accompanied by Gadjah Mada University (UGM)'s School of Law dean, Paripurna Sugarda, and UGM deputy rector for human resources and asset affairs Budi Santoso Wignyosukarto.
Several groups in Yogyakarta reported Florence, a graduate student at UGM's School of Law, to the police for comments she made on social media, which according to them insulted the people of Yogyakarta.
Florence was later charged with violating the Electronic Information and Transaction (ITE) Law, as well as Article 310 and 311 of the Criminal Code on defamation, and at one point was detained for two nights by the Yogyakarta Police.
'I hope she'll be given the chance to remain in Yogyakarta to complete her studies and learn by interacting with her environment,' said Hamengkubuwono, who is also sultan of Yogyakarta.
During the meeting, Hamengkubuwono also advised Florence to socialize with the various ethnic groups living in Yogyakarta so she could learn about Indonesia.
Hamengkubuwono declined to comment on the ITE Law, which many believe has the potential to hamper freedom of expression. He also trusts the Yogyakarta Police to settle the legal dispute.
During the occasion, Florence expressed her gratitude to Hamengkubuwono for accepting her apology.
'I'm grateful and I feel better now,' said Florence.
Florence said she was not traumatized by the case and would resume her studies at UGM.
'The most important lesson I've learned from this experience is to respect other people,' she said.
Paripurna believes the police will settle the case amicably.
Meanwhile, Queen GKR Hemas held a separate meeting with several groups that filed a lawsuit against Florence in the veranda of Kraton Kilen (Kilen Palace). The groups refused to withdraw their lawsuit.
'We wholeheartedly accept Florence's apology, but we will not withdraw our report. Let this case become a lesson for the public,' Yulianti, coordinator of the Yogya Damai volunteer group, said.
Hemas said it was unnecessary to bring the case to court.
'I hope we all cooperate to avoid any court proceedings,' she said.
Hemas, who is also a member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), said the ITE Law was very dangerous and problematic and hoped the new government and the House of Representatives could review it.
