akarta Police named Buni Yani a suspect on Wednesday evening for allegedly uploading edited footage that defamed non-active Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama—as the incumbent gubernatorial candidate's comments in the video were purportedly blasphemous—and caused nationwide uproar, particularly through mass demonstrations.
"We have found sufficient evidence to build a case and name him a suspect," Jakarta Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono said.
Awi said Buni's video post had ignited hatred and animosity among the public.
According to Awi, Buni was charged for allegedly violating Article 28 of the Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE) Law that carried a maximum sentence of six years in prison.
Buni had been accused of editing footage of Ahok’s speech made during a working visit to the Thousand Islands regency in late September. The footage was uploaded onto Buni's Facebook page, where it eventually went viral sparking public outrage.
Buni denied the allegation, saying that he only deleted some of the footage before uploading it. However, he admits to making errors in transcribing the speech.
Buni, who was reported to the police by supporters of Ahok, said he only failed to include the word “using” in the subtitles. (dmr)
Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.
Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!
Share the best of The Jakarta Post with friends, family, or colleagues. As a subscriber, you can gift 3 to 5 articles each month that anyone can read—no subscription needed!
Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.