Former BRIN Researcher Defendant Of Hate Speech To Muhammadiyah Sentenced To 1 Year In Prison

Former BRIN researcher Andi Pangerang Hasanuddin was sentenced to 1 year in prison by the Panel of Judges at the Jombang District Court (PN). Defendant Andi is said to have been legally proven and convincingly guilty of committing a criminal act of spreading hate speech against Muhammadiyah.

"Imposing a sentence to the defendant with a prison sentence of 1 year and a fine of Rp. 10 million, provided that if the defendant cannot pay the fine, the defendant can replace it with imprisonment for 1 month," said Chairman of the Panel of Judges at the Jombang District Court, Bambang Setyawan, when reading the verdict, Tuesday, September 19.

The verdict against the defendant Andi was lighter than the demands of the Public Prosecutor (JPU) who demanded 1 year and 6 months in prison.

In the verdict, the defendant Andi was proven to have violated Article 45A paragraph (2) junto Article 28 paragraph (2) RI Law number 19 of 2016 concerning Electronic Information and Transactions (ITE), about intentionally and without the right to disseminate information aimed at causing hatred or hostility to certain individuals or community groups based on SARA.

The judge's consideration regarding the aggravating matter of the defendant, including the defendant's actions, has caused a national commotion. Then the defendant's actions have the potential to cause hatred in one of the community organizations in Indonesia, namely Muhammadiyah.

While mitigating matters, the defendant was never found guilty of committing a criminal act, based on the decision of the district court which had permanent legal force. "The defendant was honest and admitted his actions, thus facilitating the trial examination process. The defendant is still young so it is hoped that his behavior can still change in the future," he said.

Meanwhile, both the defendant Andi, the attorney and the public prosecutor, expressed their thoughts.

"We thought about it, Your Honor," said the attorney for the defendant and the prosecutor in turn.

Andi Pangerang, who was previously a researcher from the National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), was caught in a criminal case after posting a post on his social media. The post allegedly contained hate speech to one of the Islamic organizations, namely Muhammadiyah, with threats related to the determination of the Eid al-Fitr 1444 Hijri time.