Netizens Disappointed After West Java Police Visit To Bahar Smith, Remind Jokowi's Message 'Don't Pawn Sowan's Authority To Lawbreakers'

Bahar bin Smith (BETWEEN)

JAKARTA - The visit of West Java (Jabar) Police investigators to the residence of Bahar bin Smith has drawn criticism from netizens on Twitter. Netizens brought up the important message that President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) conveyed when giving a briefing to the Head of the 2021 Regional Unit, last Friday, December 3.

President Jokowi was surprised that the newly elected Kapolda or Police Chief diligently visited the elders of local mass organizations. In fact, in their work, these mass organizations often make a fuss.

The police, Jokowi stressed, must be able to maintain the honor or authority of the institution. Do not let a visit to a mass organization of troublemakers actually reduce the honor of the Police.

"I've been wanting to tell you that there is a new Kapolda, the new Chief of Police has even come to the elders of mass organizations who often make a fuss. Is this true?"

"But is that the right way? Be careful not to pawn authority with sowan to lawbreakers," said Jokowi.

One of the netizens who expressed disappointment was social media activist Kristia Budiyarto. According to Kang Dede, Kristia's nickname, the authority of the Police has fallen freely with this investigator's visit.

"The authority of the Polri institution has fallen to the bottom of the abyss because of a recidivist, bandit wearing a religious robe," wrote Kang Dede via his Twitter account, @kangdede78.

The same thing was conveyed by activist Chusnul Chotimah (@Chusnulch_). Although the West Java Regional Police went to Bahar's house to submit the SPDP, it is natural that many were disappointed. "For years they have defended the honor of the Police from insults, hoaxes to slander Dr. Kadrun, the Police have even humbled themselves," said Chusnul.

The same thing was also conveyed by the @RD_4WR212 account which brought up Jokowi's message to the Police again. "Don't pawn authority with lawbreakers!," he wrote.

The wargenet's commotion about the visit of the West Java Police investigator to Bahar Smith started from a viral video with a duration of 2.20 seconds on social media. In the video, Bahar appears to explain the accusations of hate speech. Bahar denied that he invited the people to hate someone.

The atmosphere of the meeting was so warm. At the end of the video, Polri personnel can be seen shaking hands and hugging Bahar to say goodbye.

Separately, the West Java Police confirmed the recording. West Java Police Chief Inspector General Suntana said investigators were present at Bahar Smith's house to submit a Notice of Investigation Commencement (SPDP) to Bahar bin Smith at his residence in Bogor, last Tuesday, December 28.

Bahar Smith's status has been raised to the investigation stage regarding allegations of hate speech containing elements of ethnicity, religion, race and intergroup (SARA).

"West Java Police investigators have stepped up the legal process that ensnared BS into an investigation," said West Java Police Chief Inspector General Suntana in a written statement received in Bandung, West Java, Antara, Wednesday, December 29 yesterday.