TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Ongoing investigation delays blocking of Saracen site

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Tue, August 29, 2017 Published on Aug. 29, 2017 Published on 2017-08-29T13:41:22+07:00

Change text size

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

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!
Ongoing investigation delays blocking of Saracen site Coordinating: Communications and Information Minister Rudiantara (right) talks with Bank Indonesia Governor Agus Martowardojo (left) after a coordination meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali, on Aug.25. (Antara/Nyoman Budhiana)

C

ommunications and Information Minister Rudiantara has indicated that online news syndicate Saracen would not be shut down until a police investigation had been completed.

“It has not yet been blocked. This decision was based on our coordination with the National Police because they are also investigating the Saracen site, not just its Facebook presence,” Rudiantara said as quoted by kompas.com in Jakarta on Monday.

When asked about content of the Saracennews.com news site, which has been accused of containing hatred or hostility based on ethnicity, religion, race or societal group (SARA), Rudiantara said that was what the police were investigating.

However, he confirmed, there was a connection between the Saracen site and those arrested for the alleged distribution of information containing hate speech via Facebook.

Rudiantara said the perpetrators had uploaded content that violated the Electronic  Information and Transactions (ITE) Law, particularly articles 27, 28, and 29 on the spreading of information containing SARA elements.

“We’ve seen that Saracennews.com and a Facebook account are connected. One cannot be separated from the other; hence, we will take measures,” said Rudiantara.

Last Wednesday, the police arrested three people accused of acting as Saracen’s administrators since July. The three, identified as Jasriadi, MFT and SRN, have been declared suspects for allegedly spreading hate speech and hoaxes on social media.

The group is believed to have spread  hoaxes and hate speech against President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo" and former Jakarta governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama, among others. (yon/ebf) 

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.

Share options

Quickly share this news with your network—keep everyone informed with just a single click!

Change text size options

Customize your reading experience by adjusting the text size to small, medium, or large—find what’s most comfortable for you.

Gift Premium Articles
to Anyone

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!

Continue in the app

Get the best experience—faster access, exclusive features, and a seamless way to stay updated.