Aceh Is Not The Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI), RA's Anger Overflows To Burn The Red And White Flag

Police show evidence of burning red and white flags at the Aceh Police Headquarters, Banda Aceh, Friday (26/8). BETWEEN PHOTOS/M Haris

BANDA ACEH - A joint team from the Aceh Regional Police arrested an alleged perpetrator of burning the red and white flag who then recorded and distributed the video to social media.

Head of Public Relations of the Aceh Police, Commissioner Winardy, said the perpetrator with the initials RA (21) in Pante Gajah Village, Peusangan District, Bireuen Regency, Tuesday, August 23.

"RA was arrested for allegedly stepping on, tearing, and burning the red and white flag. Then, his actions were recorded and the video was distributed to social media", said Commissioner Winardy as reported by ANTARA, Friday, August 26.

According to him, RA's arrest began with the spread of the video of the burning of the red and white flag on the WhatsApp social media application.

Based on the video, the Aceh Police deployed a joint team from the Directorate of General Criminal Investigation and the Directorate of Security Intelligence to investigate and arrest RA.

"From the results of the initial investigation, the perpetrator's motive was to vent his anger at the red and white flag because he thought Aceh was not part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia", said Commissioner Winardy.

He said the chronology of the crime began at a coffee shop in Pante Gajah Village, Peusangan District, Bireuen Regency, on Sunday, August 21 at around 00.30 WIB.

The perpetrator ordered his friend with the initials MA to go to the second floor of the coffee shop, then RA borrowed MA's phone and made a video call with his friend WY, an Indonesian citizen who works in Malaysia.

"In the conversation, WY allegedly provoked RA to burn the red and white flag. WY also mentioned that Aceh is not part of Indonesia. If RA dares to burn the flag, then RA will be recruited to join the Free Aceh army", said Commissioner Winardy.

From the conversation, RA took the red and white flag, then he tore, burned, and trampled and burned the red and white flag.

"For his actions, the perpetrator was charged with violating Article 66 in conjunction with Article 24 letter (a) of the Republic of Indonesia Law Number 24 of 2009 concerning the flag, language, state symbol, and national anthem. The penalty is five years in prison", said Commissioner Winardy.

Investigators are currently investigating who was involved, uploading, and distributing the video of the burning of the red and white flag as well as exploring the whereabouts of the Free Aceh army.

"In this case, the police secured some evidence including sandals, pants, lighters, cell phones, hats bearing the flag of the moon and stars, and the rest of the red and white flags that had been damaged.