Not Afraid To Report Hate Based On SARA, Bahar Smith: Never Mind 1, 2, 3 Reports, 1000 Reports I'm Facing!

Bahar Smith (Screenshot Youtube @Refly Harun)

JAKARTA - Bahar bin Smith was not afraid even though his name was reported to the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters regarding hate speech. What he conveyed in a lecture that went viral some time ago is the truth.

Bahar bin Smith's statement was delivered by Constitutional Law Expert Refly Harun through the Youtube channel @Refly Harun which was uploaded on Monday, December 20.

"I have been used to being reported from the days of SBY (Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono) until now. Let alone 1, 2 or 3 reports. I will still face 1000 reports. As a law-abiding citizen, I will not back down an inch because what I said was the truth," said Refly Harun reading Bahar Smith's official stance.

In this attitude, Bahar Smith asked all parties to listen to the recording in its entirety and not to cut it into pieces. No hate speech was conveyed, but criticism of the injustice that occurred in this country.

"Is criticizing the policies of the wrong rulers hate speech? Didn't I say that it is forbidden to overthrow a legitimate government. If Habib Rizieq's enemies continue to insult, berate, curse and slander Habib Rizieq, do I have to be silent? I stand up against The tyranny and injustice of the rulers is not against the state because for me the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia, Pancasila and the 45 Constitution are fixed," said Bahar.

Bahar said he was a servant of the people and the people in conveying the truth against injustice. So far, Bahar said he would praise good government policies or the welfare of the people. On the other hand, if he finds something wrong, he does not hesitate to criticize.

"I have said many times for the sake of Islam, for the sake of the nation, for the sake of the Indonesian people, for the sake of the Republic of Indonesia, not only in prison, my life is cheap, my blood is cheap to spill. Those who report are on the side of power. My lectures defend the people and defending the Republic of Indonesia from foreign hands, so let the people whose eyes are still open will judge," said Bahar.

Bahar bin Smith was reported to Polda Metro Jaya. He is suspected of spreading information aimed at inciting hatred or hostility towards individuals and groups based on SARA or insulting state authorities. In the report, it was not only Bahar bin Smith, because Eggi Sudjana was also reported on the same suspicion

The Head of Public Relations of the Polda Metro Jaya Kombes E. Zulpan stated that there were two reports addressed to Bahar Smith. First registered with the number LP/B/6146/XII/2021/SPKT Polda Metro Jaya, dated December 7th. And both are registered with the number LP/B/6354/XII/2021/SPKT/Polda Metro Jaya, dated December 17.

Asked in more detail whether the report to Bahar was related to the Army Chief of Staff (KSAD) General Dudung Abdurachman, Zulpan stated that he could not submit it. The reason is that the research team is still investigating the connection.

"Investigators are investigating, it is clear that there are reports," said Zulpan at the Metro Jaya Police Headquarters today.