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Former hate speech convict runs for Jakarta Council
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Asma Dewi (center) is seen at the South Jakarta District Court on Feb. 1. (kompas.com/Nursita Sari)
F
ormer hate speech convict Asma Dewi is running for office in next year legislative election, seeking a seat in the Jakarta Council for the Gerindra Party.
“[Her candidacy] is right. She said she was a victim of criminalization,” said the party’s Jakarta executive board (DPD) deputy chairman, Syarif, as quoted by kompas.com on Tuesday.
Syarif was referring to a ruling by the South Jakarta District Court, which had sentenced Asma Dewi to five months and 15 days of imprisonment in March for violating Article 207 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) on insulting those in power or legal institutions.
In a post published on Facebook, Asma had called the government of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo koplak (which roughly translates to “stupid”) and edun (loosely translated as “crazy”).
The party, however, was not bothered by her legal status, Syarif said.
Asma Dewi represents DKI Jakarta 2, which comprises Koja, Cilincing and Kelapa Gading districts in North Jakarta and the Thousand Islands regency.
Upon her arrest in September 2017, police said she was possibly linked to the Saracen group, a news outlet accused of producing hate speech. Police said Asma had sent money to Saracen.
Asma’s lawyers later said the police’s dossiers and the indictment against Asma did not mention anything about Saracen or money transfers. (vla)
