Indonesian Nationals Behind Parody of Indonesian National Anthem

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – A parody of the Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya [Greater Indonesia] that raised tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia instead became an example of regional cooperation, after police in both countries arrested the suspects.

Indonesian National Police spokesman Inspector General Argo Yuwono announced the suspects are Indonesian citizens.

“We arrested one of the suspects, who was identified as MDF, in Cianjur, West Java province on Thursday, December 31, while the Royal Malaysia Police [Diraja Malaysia] arrested MDF’s accomplice NJ in Sabah, Malaysia last Monday,” Argo said on Friday, January 1 2021.

He added that MDF, who as a 16-year old is still a minor, made the 40-something NJ’s acquaintance online.

Also read: Malaysian Embassy in Jakarta Condemns Parody of Indonesian Anthem

“The two fell out after MDF made the Indonesia Raya parody and uploaded it on YouTube under NJ’s name. He incriminated NJ further by adding a Malaysian location and number to make it look like [he was] the uploader,” Argo noted.

“But NJ did not help himself by making his own version of the Indonesia Raya parody based on MDF’s version and uploading it on his YouTube channel, which was named My Asean. ”

The Indonesian police have charged MDF for violating a 2016 Information and Transaction law, as well as a 2009 law on state symbols. NJ will face the same charges if he is extradited to Indonesia.

Both of them face four years behind bars and a Rp. 750 million [$52,775.25] fine for violating the former law, and up to five years in jail and Rp. 500 million [$35,183.50] fine if they are found guilty of the second charge.

Also read: Indonesian Military Thwarts Smuggling of Rohingya Refugees to Malaysia

The Indonesia Raya parody’s profane, derogatory altered lyrics as well as its mocking imagery caused widespread outrage in Indonesia against Malaysia.

The Indonesian public assumed that it is the latest in a decades-long series of cultural controversies between the neighboring countries.

These included Malaysian claims to Indonesian cultural icons such as batik, the Reog Ponorogo dance and silat martial arts, as well as foods such as West Sumatran Rendang beef stew.

(Writer: Achmad Nasrudin Yahya | Editor : Irfan Maullana)

Sources:

https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2021/01/01/19402791/kronologi-dua-wni-parodikan-lagu-indonesia-raya-berawal-dari-konten-youtube?page=all#page2.