DPR: There Are More Urgen Cases, Why Is The TNI Focusing On Ferry Irwandi?

Ferry Irwandi/DOK PHOTO via Instagram @irwandiferry

JAKARTA - Member of Commission I DPR RI, Junico Siahaan highlighted the issue of the Indonesian National Army (TNI) which plans to report Malacca Project CEO and Influencer Ferry Irwandi to the police regarding the alleged criminal act of defamation following his opinion on social media regarding demonstrations some time ago.

Junico assessed that law enforcement officials need to consider the urgency of a case before setting legal steps. Especially related to the application of the Electronic Information and Transaction Law (UU ITE) which is likely to be suspected of Ferry Irwandi.

"In the context of the ITE Law, we need to ensure that law enforcement is carried out proportionally. Many other cases are substantially more urgent and have a broad impact that also needs attention from the authorities," said Junico, Friday, September 12.

Junico also questioned the TNI's basis for wanting to report Ferry on charges of defamation. According to him, there are many cases of violations of the ITE Law that are more urgent than Ferry's perception.

"Many are more urgent to take action for violating the ITE Law," said the PDIP politician.

For information, Ferry Irwandi is also known as content creator and Youtuber. Recently, the former civil servant at the Indonesian Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) often appeared to voice 17+8 of the People's Demands in a demonstration on August 25-31.

According to Junico, the attention of law enforcers should not only be focused on individual cases that are considered not to contain direct threats to the public interest at large.

The member of the commission on defense, communication and informatics also emphasized the importance of protecting the freedom of expression of every citizen. This, said Nico, is contained in the state constitution, namely the 1945 Constitution.

"In a democratic country, state institutions, including defense institutions, must show exemplary in responding to citizen criticism and expressions. And digital spaces are public spaces, which cannot be immediately sterilized from different voices," Nico said.

As is known, TNI Dansatsiber Brigadier General Juinta Omboh Sembiring, Danpuspom TNI Major General Yusri Nuryanto, Kapuspen TNI Brigadier General Freddy Ardianzah visited the Polda Metro Jaya on Monday, September 8, to consult regarding the alleged crime of Ferry Irwandi which was found from the results of cyber patrols.

Head of the TNI Information Center Brigadier General Freddy Ardianzah alluded to the decision of the Constitutional Court (MK) which stated that defamation cannot be reported by the institution. Currently, the TNI is still in the legal consultation stage with the Metro Police regarding Ferry Irwandi's statements and actions.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director of Cyber Investigation of Polda Metro Jaya AKBP Fian Yunus explained that the TNI Cyber Unit could not report Ferry Irwandy in the defamation case. This was stated in the ITE Law after the Constitutional Court Decision Number 105/PUU-XXII/2024.

The Constitutional Court's decision states that the phrase other people' in Article 27A of the ITE Law must be limited only to individual individuals who feel aggrieved, and does not include government institutions, corporations, professions, or positions. In this case, including military institutions.