Indonesia Highlights: Indonesian Nationals Behind Parody of the Country’s Anthem | Indonesian National Police Outlaws the FPI | Indonesian Broadcasting Stalwart Inke Maris Passes Away

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesia started off 2021 with unexpected twists, particularly in law enforcement. Indonesian and Malaysian police apprehended the two people behind the parody of the Indonesian national anthem Indonesia Raya, which turned out to be Indonesian nationals.

The Indonesian National Police confirmed the Islamic Defenders Front or FPI’s status as an illegal organization, after the force officially outlawed the group’s symbols and attributes.

And Indonesia had to say goodbye to one of the country’s TV broadcasting pioneers, after veteran journalist Inke Maris died of a stroke at the age of 72. Read on to get the scoop on these news, as curated by our editors:

Dok. Divisi Humas Polri Indonesian National Police spokesman Inspector General Argo Yuwono at a press conference on Thursday (10/12/2020)

Indonesian Nationals Behind Parody of the Country’s Anthem

Indonesian and Malaysian police nabbed two Indonesian natjonals for making an offensive parody of the Indonesian national anthem “Indonesia Raya” [Greater Indonesia], days after their stunt raised tensions between Indonesia and Malaysia.

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

“We arrested one of the suspects, who was identified as MDF, at his home in Cianjur, West Java province on Thursday, December 31,” Argo said on Friday, January 1 2021.

“The Royal Malaysia Police [Diraja Malaysia] arrested MDF’s accomplice NJ in Sabah, Malaysia on Monday, December 28.” He added that MDF, who as a 16-year old is still a minor, made NJ’s acquaintance online.

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.

Source:

https://go.kompas.com/read/2021/01/01/231208074/indonesian-nationals-behind-parody-of-indonesian-national-anthem?page=all#page2. 

ANTARA FOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay Police and military personnel dismantle Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) signposts in Petamburan, Central Jakarta on Wednesday (30/12/2020), after the government disbanded the group. ANTARA FOTO/Akbar Nugroho Gumay/nz

Indonesian National Police Outlaws the FPI

The Indonesian National Police has started off 2021 by outlawing the Islamic Defenders Front [FPI], two days after the government officially disbanded the hard-line organization.

Indonesian National Police Chief General Idham Azis warned the public not to “access, download, and distribute the FPI’s content through websites or social media.”