Amsal Sitepu: Ignorance Makes Legal Cases Protracted

Creative economy activist Amsal Sitepu (center) after the agenda of the Meeting of the Minister of Creative Economy with Amsal Sitepu at the Office of the Ministry of Creative Economy, Autograph Tower Thamrin Nine, Jakarta, Thursday, April 2. (ANTARA - Farika Nur Khotimah)

JAKARTA - Creative economy activist Amsal Sitepu said ignorance of access to assistance and protection was one of the factors that made the legal problems he experienced last long.

"One of the things that made my problem a bit protracted was my ignorance. If I knew this from the beginning, I wouldn't have been in it for 131 days," said Amsal after the agenda of the Meeting of the Minister of Creative Economy with Amsal Sitepu at the Office of the Ministry of Creative Economy, Autograph Tower Thamrin Nine, Jakarta, Thursday as quoted by Antara.

Amsal was previously entangled in a corruption case in the village profile video making project in Karo Regency, North Sumatra. In this case, he was questioned regarding the production budget value which was considered inappropriate, even though the video work he had done had been completed.

He had been detained for 131 days before he was finally acquitted by the court, which stated that the elements of corruption were not proven in the case.

He admitted that he only knew that the government had various legal assistance services and complaint channels for creative economic actors after facing the process.

According to him, creative economic actors need to be more active in seeking information and not only focus on the production process of works.

"We have to be more active, don't focus only on our work. We try to see what services we can use," he said.

Proverbs considers that the experience he has had can be a lesson for other creative industry players to better understand the ecosystem and the support available.

"Don't see this process as a problem, but as an evaluation of how creative economy in Indonesia can develop," he said.

He also invited creative economic actors, especially the younger generation, to continue to dare to work in the midst of various challenges.

"Don't be afraid to work, be enthusiastic for creative economic fighters in Indonesia," he said.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Creative Economy stated that his party continued to strengthen the socialization of services and assistance for creative economy actors so that similar cases do not recur.