Threatened To Be Killed During Live Broadcast, Dedi Mulyadi: This Is A Leader's Risk

West Java Governor Dedi Mulyadi (doc West Java Provincial Government)

BANDUNG The threat of murder against the Governor of West Java, Dedi Mulyadi, which occurred openly during a live broadcast on his YouTube channel on Monday night.

The threat was repeatedly written by anonymous accounts such as Wowo and Dedi Mulyadi heretical! in the comments column, and took place during the live session. However, the response from Dedi and the police was considered too passive.

When questioned, Dedi only said that the threat was a risk of a leader, without showing any urgency to report it to the authorities.

He stated that he was still waiting for the development of the situation and could not confirm whether the threatening account was genuine or not.

"If there is such a threat, I consider it a risk for a leader," he said in Bandung. However, this statement actually raises concerns about a permissive attitude towards potential violence against public officials.

Meanwhile, the West Java Regional Police stated that they had monitored comments containing elements of murder, but had not taken action because there had been no official report from the victim.

"We are ready to carry out an investigation if there is an official report," said Head of Public Relations of the West Java Police, Kombes Pol Hendra Rochmawan.

This statement drew criticism, because in many cases, the threat of murder, especially against state officials, should be carried out proactively even though the victim has not been reported directly. Especially if digital evidence is publicly available and can be easily verified by the police cyber team.

Kombes Hendra also added that threatening comments can indeed be charged with law, but only if there is a request from the reporter. He also reminded the public not to carelessly comment in the digital space.

Threats to public figures in the digital era are not the first time this has happened. However, the weakness of the emergency response system to verbal violence and threats on social media shows legal and technical loopholes that have not been seriously handled by the state.

The threats conveyed openly, repeatedly, and in live broadcasts should be a danger signal. The lack of seriousness in handling can be a bad precedent, as if allowing anyone to threaten a public figure without clear consequences.