Direktur Reserse Kriminal Khusus Polda Aceh, Kombes Pol T Saladin bersama Kabid Humas Polda Aceh Kombes Pol Ery Apriyono menggelar konf...
BANDA ACEH -- The rise of social media has undoubtedly brought many positive changes to the world, such as connecting people from across the globe and providing platforms for political activism. However, its negative side is also increasingly apparent.
Recently, two men from Aceh were arrested in connection to a provocative, racist video that was uploaded on Facebook in September 2019. The nearly five-minute video featured six men, five of whom were wearing turbans, uttering derogatory terms that were directed against non-Acehnese people living in the region. They gave a deadline of 4 December 2019 for these people to leave Aceh or face physical consequences.
The two men who were caught, Yahdi and RD, were quietly arrested on 7 November 2019 by a team of the police and the mobile brigade (Brimob). According to Kabid Humas Polda Aceh, Kombes Pol Ery Apriyono, the suspects broke the law by spreading online hate speech that violated the Information and Electronic Transactions Act (UU ITE), in addition to possessing an illegal firearm.
The authorities started investigating the video and its creators after it went viral on social media. The video contained derogatory, racist words that incited violence against non-Acehnese residing in Aceh. After one of the tagged accounts was traced back to Yahdi, Palis Pahlawan District, Aceh Utara, the search for the perpetrators intensified.
Soon after the two men were found, the investigators seized evidence, which included one account owned by Yahdi, containing fourteen messages of hate speech and racism, a firearm FN-type plus six live rounds, two passports, an ATM card, and three mobile phones. Interestingly, the police also found a sal hitam (a black and white chequered scarf, worn like a turban) and six fabric flags, which the suspects allegedly used in the video.
The arrest was made four days before the 4 December 2019 deadline. However, it is still essential to acknowledge the severity of their offense and reflect on the implications of online hate speech. Expressing oneself freely is a right that everyone should enjoy, but it does not entitle anyone to propagate hate and incite violence. The freedom of speech comes with a responsibility to do so peacefully, ethically, and rationally.
The wider implications of online hate speech are disastrous as they can lead to violence, discrimination and can even be a precursor to genocide, as seen in the Rwandan genocide (1994). Users of social media have the responsibility of ensuring that their online activity does not engender racism, hate or cause a danger to someone's life. Platforms like Facebook have been used to promote violence not just in Aceh but also in other parts of the world.
The case of Yahdi and RD is an example of the reach of online hate speech, and how it can result in grave consequences. The Justice Department must ensure that the suspects face the full brunt of the law to serve as a deterrent to others. As a society, we must work together to prevent the spread of hate speech and ensure that social media is a platform for fostering togetherness.
In conclusion, while the majority of users of social media use these platforms to amplify their voices and make positive changes, some also use it as a vessel to spread hate and violence. The case of Yahdi and RD is a clear example of how online hate speech can incite violence and result in grave consequences. The authorities must enforce strict regulations, and users of social media must act responsibly and be aware of their responsibilities while online.
