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NasDem politician named suspect for making 'racist' speech
The politician, who is an Indonesian of Chinese descent, used "black skin" in his speech to refer to non-Chinese Indonesians.
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The country’s national emblem, the Garuda Pancasila, carries the motto “Bhinneka Tunggal Ika” (Unity in Diversity). JP/ Maksum Nur Fauzan
(JP/Maksum Nur Fauzan)
T
he Tanjungpinang Police have named Bobby Jayanto, the chairman of NasDem Tanjungpinang branch in Riau as a suspect of a "racist" speech.
During a prayer for marine safety at Pelantar II Port in Tanjungpinang on June 8, Bobby allegedly made the discriminatory remarks in front of members of the Chinese-Indonesian community. Bobby, who is also a leader of the community, reportedly used "black skin" in his speech to refer to non-Chinese-Indonesians.
Members of the public reported him to the Tanjungpinang Police not long after Bobby delivered his speech.
The head of the Tanjungpinang Police's crime unit, Adj. Comr. Efendri Alie, said the police decided to name Bobby a suspect after conducting a preliminary investigation on Wednesday.
“We have upgraded his status from witness to suspect,” Alie said on Thursday.
Alie said that the police had summoned the suspect for further questioning. At least 17 witnesses, including three expert witnesses and six witnesses from civil organizations, are also to be summoned to give testimony.
Bobby could face a maximum of five years of imprisonment as stipulated in Article 16 of Law No. 40/2018 on eradication of racial discrimination if convicted. (dpk)
