Jakarta: A 23-year-old janitor in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim-majority nation, is facing a maximum six years in prison for violating a cyber law as he posted a video on social media platform Tiktok allegedly calling for the “slaughter” of Palestinian “pigs”.
He has been charged with violating a 2008 electronic information and transactions (ITE) law, which regulates online activity, including for defamation and hate speech.
The action came as the clip drew ire of the police in West Nusa Tenggara province which said the “suspect has made slanderous Tiktok content against the state of Palestine with inappropriate words”.
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Local news channel, Kompas TV, which showed the clip, said he has since apologised and said that he had mistaken Palestine for Israel, reported Reuters as it could not independently identify the suspect’s Tiktok account.
The rights activists have criticized the 2008 electronic information and transactions (ITE) law stating its broad interpretation allows it to be used to silence dissent, target government opponents and curtail free speech.
According to data compiled by digital advocacy group Southeast Asia Freedom of Expression Network (SAFEnet), around 700 people were imprisoned from 2016 to 2020 under this law.
Indonesia is a staunch supporter of Palestine.