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Viral provocative video against ‘infidel leader’ to be investigated
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Police officers stand guard as thousands rally against Jakarta Governor Basuki Tjahaja Purnama in front of the House of Representatives in Jakarta, Feb. 21. (JP/Seto Wardhana)
T
he Jakarta Elections Supervisory Agency (Bawaslu) is set to investigate a one-minute video of a group of people in Betawi attire who pledged, by raising machetes in the air, to only vote for Muslim leaders.
The declaration, the recording of which went viral, was allegedly made by members of the South Grogol Resident Forum. The recording showed dozens of people pledging that they would not vote for an infidel leader, referring to incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama who is a Christian and running for reelection, unless they were ready for azab [God’s punishment].
Bawaslu Jakarta commissioner Achmad Fachrudin said the agency had received a public report regarding the video on April 11.
"The report has been followed up by the integrated law enforcement center [Sentra Gakkumdu] and we've scheduled seven parties to come and clarify this thing," Achmad told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.
He said the parties comprised witnesses and election supervisors in that area.
The agency was examining the recording and could not as yet conclude whether any violations had been involved, Achmad said.
Based on the Regional Elections Law, it is illegal to insult Pancasila state ideology, people's ethnicity, race or religion and spread provocative material during election campaigns.
