Bad Roads: How TikTok Rants Were Leading to Persecution in Indonesia

TikToker Awbimax Reborn alias Bima Yudho Saputro — TikTok content brought Awbimax (Bima Yudho Saputro) into legal problem. (Doc: Instagram | @awbimax)

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Bima Yudho Saputro was crying on his TikTok after knowing his parents were intimidated by government officials. It all started when he was ranting on TikTok about the roads in his province: Bandar Lampung.

Bandar Lampung is the southernmost province in Sumatra island. Its location is rather close to the capital area. All these years, Lampung has been rather low-profile. No particular incidents happened there, until Bima spoke out.

Bima is a student at the Macquarie University in Australia. Earlier this month, he launched a multi-pronged criticism toward Lampung. He was ranting about the government which does not listen to the people, poor education system, and bad roads.

"There are many government projects in Lampung which are stalled," said Bimo on his TikTok @awbimaxreborn.

"The roads in Lampung, like, 1 kilometer good, 1 kilometer damaged, and then they are just being patched. What is this? Is the government playing snakes and ladders or what?"

The video has received over 2 million likes on TikTok.

He also called the region as "dajjal", the anti-christ figure in Islamic teaching, although the name has been made into a joke by some netizens.

Bima spoke in a seemingly angry manner, which his father advised him to refrain for the time being. But Bimo said that is just his talking style.

However, Bima's speaking style is rather similar to the other viral internet celeb Keanu AGL. Keanu was also often ranting on social media with his "frontal" talking style. Keanu also used the word "dajjal" when angry. But Keanu mostly talks about lifestyle, not politics.

Not long after the video went viral, Bima made some other related videos about Lampung until someone reported him to the police for his "dajjal" insult. His parents were also approached by public officials. Bima said his parents were intimidated to make him go quiet.

"Today my dad was called by the Regent of East Lampung. And then there were police from my district came," said Bima.

He said that the police were asking for his data, including bank account. Bima then considered applying for a Protection Visa in Australia. His case received widespread sympathy by the netizens, and eventually it was heard by the politicians in Jakarta.

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Stronger Criticism Against Lampung

Kumpulan Potret Jalan Rusak di Lampung, Warganet: Cocok untuk Orang yang Suka Tantangan — Netizens spread the photos of Lampung road. @fakta.indo/Instagram

When the news about the police report reached him, Bima initially wanted to apply for the Protection Visa in Australia. He praised the country as a "liberal country which is more open to criticism and not only putting importance on one group."

After the video went viral, the netizens also uploaded evidences about the poor conditions of the roads in Lampung. Governor of Lampung Arinal Djunaidi is also facing scrutiny.

Bimo received support from a member of parliament in the Commission III which deals in the legal issues.

The Deputy Leader of Commission III of the Parliament, Ahmad Sahroni, asked the Chief Police and the local police not to pursue this case, and ensure that nobody threatens Bima and his family.

"I feel the criticism conveyed by Bima is still within the right corridor, so there must be no exaggerated legal intervention. Remember, the people are monitoring all the decisions from the Police of Republic Indonesia," said Sahroni.

Part of Human Rights

The high official at the Ministry of Law and Human Rights also rejected the legal steps against Bima.

"Criticism is a part of freedom of speech which is not only an important part in a democratic country, but also a key element within the human rights which is guaranteed by our constitution," said Director General of Human Rights, Dhahana Putra.

The governor of Lampung and the local police denied the accusation of threatening Bima's family.

On Tuesday (18/4/2023), police decided to drop Bima's case after finding no criminal element. Legal expert from Jenderal Soedirman University, Hibnu Nugroho, said the police made the right decision.

"I agree from the beginning there is no criminal act," said Hibnu Nugroho. However, he reminds people to give criticism in a proper language.

Delvira Hutabarat and Fachrur Rozie contributed to this report.