This Is The Law For People Who Abuse Indonesian Raya Songs

Illustration (Pixabay)

JAKARTA - MY Asean Youtube account uploads a parody video of the national anthem of Indonesia Raya. The video depicts the background of the Red and White flag accompanied by the Garuda Pancasila emblem.

This video is accompanied by the singing of someone who changed the arrangement of the song Indonesia Raya with lyrics connoting harassment of Indonesian figures.

The video is about one minute long and was posted about two weeks ago. However, currently Youtube has taken a takedown on this video. When traced, the MY Asean account with the Malaysian flag logo also no longer appears on Youtube.

In its regulation, the national anthem is regulated in Indonesian Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning the Flag, Language and National Emblem, as well as the National Anthem. Then, it is also regulated in Government Regulation Number 44 of 1958.

Article 64 of Law Number 24 Year 2009 states that everyone is prohibited from changing the national anthem with a tone, rhythm, words, and other compositions with the intention of insulting or degrading the honor of the national anthem.

Then, everyone is prohibited from listening to, singing, or distributing the modified version of the national anthem for commercial purposes. Also, it is prohibited to use the national anthem for advertisements for commercial purposes.

The sanctions that will be imposed on any person who violates Article 64 are listed in Articles 70 and 71. Article 70 states that anyone who changes the National Anthem with a tone, rhythm, words and other compositions with the intention of insulting or degrading the honor of the national anthem shall be sentenced to imprisonment of 5 years or a maximum fine of Rp. 500 million.

Then, Article 71 also states that every person who deliberately listens, sings, or disseminates the modified result of the national anthem, will be punished with a maximum imprisonment of 1 year or a maximum fine of Rp. 100 million.

Case investigated

Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemenlu) Teuku Faizasyah said that his party was waiting for the results of the investigation of the alleged Indonesia Raya song which was parodied by Malaysians.

Currently, said Teuku, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Indonesian Embassy in Malaysia have communicated with the government and relevant authorities in Malaysia regarding this incident.

"Furthermore, the Malaysian government is taking action on what the Indonesian government has conveyed in coordination with this case," Teuku said when confirmed by VOI, Monday, December 28.

Teuku said the Malaysian government was in the process of investigating a video that allegedly insulted Indonesia. Because, this video is claimed to have been uploaded from Malaysia.

"If it turns out that the video was uploaded by a Malaysian citizen, then firm action will be taken based on the applicable law," said Teuku.