Arteria Dahlan Case Concerning Sundanese Language, Polda Metro: Cannot Be Convicted

Dahlan Arteria/PHOTO DOK VOI-Nailin In Saroh

JAKARTA - Polda Metro Jaya stated that the SARA case regarding the Sundanese language involving Arteria Dhalan could not be criminalized. This is based on the results of expert examinations.

"Based on expert testimony, based on the provisions of the Act regulated in Article 224 of Law No. 17 of 2014 concerning the MPR, DPR, DPD, and DPRD or MD 3 against Arteria Dahlan, it can be conveyed that it cannot be criminalized," said the Head of Public Relations Polda Metro Jaya Kombes E. Zulpan told reporters, Friday, February 4.

In addition, said Zulpan, in accordance with the article in the law, Arteria Dahlan cannot be prosecuted by the court. This is because the statement or opinion expressed at the official meeting of members of the DPR.

"So the opinion of Arteria Dahlan in this matter does not fulfill the element of spreading information containing hate speech based on SARA as regulated in Article 28 Paragraph 2 of Law Number 19 of 2016 concerning ITE," said Zulpan.

Moreover, Arteria Dahlan also has the right of immunity as a member of the DPR RI. So, it cannot be punished.

"Then against Arteria Dahlan as a member of the Indonesian House of Representatives, he also has the right of immunity so that he cannot be convicted when he expresses his opinion at the time or in an official meeting forum, as happened in this case," said Zulpan.

Arteria Dahlan was reported by the Sundanese Customary Council to the West Java Regional Police. The report was the aftermath of his statement questioning the use of the Sundanese language by the West Java High Court in the meeting.

However, the report was delegated to the Polda Metro Jaya. The reason is that the incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Polda Metro Jaya.