Handling Novel Baswedan And Abu Janda Cases Amid Discourse On ITE Law Revision, Police Are Still Looking For Evidence

ILLUSTRATION/NATIONAL POLICE Headquarters

JAKARTA - The National Police-Criminal Investigation Unit is still investigating two cases of alleged violations of the Information and Electronic Transaction Law (ITE) with reported Permadi Arya alias Abu Janda and KPK investigator Novel Baswedan.

"The process (of the case) is still being investigated," said Head of Public Relations Division of the National Police, Grand Commissioner Ahmad Ramadhan, to reporters, Monday, February 22.

The deepening process, said Ramadhan, is still in the stage of searching for evidence. If evidence has been found, the investigator will conduct a case title to determine whether there is a criminal element.

"Still gathering evidence. Later, when there is an update, we will deliver it," he said.

This case became public attention because it emerged when there was a discourse on the revision of the ITE Law. In fact, the National Police Chief has also issued a statement so that his staff can selectively select the handling of ITE cases.

For information, the case of Permadi Arya alias Abu Janda started because his tweets on social media were deemed insulting Natalius Pigai by using the word 'evolution'. In addition, he was also involved in cases of alleged racism and the mention of arrogant Islam.

Meanwhile, the case involving Novel Baswedan started because of his tweet asking the authorities not to go too far. The tweets also appeared related to the cause of the death of Ustaz Maaher.