Punk band Sukatani issues apology following song criticising polisi

[serious_fun]

Pay Pay Pay!

Members of Indonesian punk band Sukatani issue apology

The band requested that fans who have uploaded its controversial song Bayar Bayar Bayar (Pay Pay Pay) onto social media platforms to delete their posts to avoid potential legal risks.

The Central Java Police denied any pressure or prohibition regarding the song’s circulation. “There is none. Every citizen has the right to express their opinions freely. As far as I know, there is no ban,” said Commissioner Dwi Subagio, the criminal investigation director of Central Java Police.

 

[IndoTom]

Shall we share stories of when the police helped us without paying or expecting something in return?

 

[Wisnu]

My experience with polce here so far has been quite good, no problems, could be I did not spend much time in Indonesia before 2024. The police have never once asked for payment outside the provisions. I also have police relatives who I believe are good police, but I also have police relatives who I suspect are not included in the category of good police.
However, in this case, I really sympathize with the Sukatani Band - although, to be honest I don't love their logo, but further checked, I admit the logo does not really reflecting what I was thinking.
Moreover, Novi, the vocalist, was fired from school one day after her school was visited by the police - with a reason that was too far-fetched.
Further checking on the internet, I found that Novi was graduated with a thesis on music and children's education in Islamic elementary schools.
And she put a quote from a poem by Wiji Tukul:
Courage needs to be trained, it doesn't come suddenly like God's revelation.

I have more respect to her

 

[IndoTom]

My experience with polce here so far has been quite good, no problems, could be I did not spend much time in Indonesia before 2024. The police have never once asked for payment outside the provisions. I also have police relatives who I believe are good police, but I also have police relatives who I suspect are not included in the category of good police.
However, in this case, I really sympathize with the Sukatani Band - although, to be honest I don't love their logo, but further checked, I admit the logo does not really reflecting what I was thinking.
Moreover, Novi, the vocalist, was fired from school one day after her school was visited by the police - with a reason that was too far-fetched.
Further checking on the internet, I found that Novi was graduated with a thesis on music and children's education in Islamic elementary schools.
And she put a quote from a poem by Wiji Tukul:
Courage needs to be trained, it doesn't come suddenly like God's revelation.

I have more respect to her

Thanks for the insightful research on this case Wisnu. My first visit to Indonesia gave me an intro dealing with Police when they pulled our car off the road for nothing. The most recent incident was quite funny. Driving in Jakarta, and having to go a 2 lane change to get to the toll road entrance, a policeman literally "jumped out of the bushes" and stopped us with the excuse of doing a multiple lane change too quick. Haha, just look at all the motor bikes driving the wrong way and on the sidewalk. Seems like selective enforcement of rules not practicle in a city like Jakarta.

 

[Wisnu]

Thanks for the insightful research on this case Wisnu. My first visit to Indonesia gave me an intro dealing with Police when they pulled our car off the road for nothing. The most recent incident was quite funny. Driving in Jakarta, and having to go a 2 lane change to get to the toll road entrance, a policeman literally "jumped out of the bushes" and stopped us with the excuse of doing a multiple lane change too quick. Haha, just look at all the motor bikes driving the wrong way and on the sidewalk. Seems like selective enforcement of rules not practicle in a city like Jakarta.

yes, I heard lot of story like that where the police was hiding somewhere and waiting for the mouse to enter the trap.
I do realize this, few friends told me that just matter of time for me to experience it. My mitigation for this case, DIR, defensive driving and install dashcam in my car.
re, motor bike; i agreed, the thing I hate the most along with not having a rear light and dangerous maneuvers as if having a multiple life.
my car ADAS keep screaming most of the time.

 

[IndoTom]

Calling Mr. Plow!

 

[Shadrach]

yes, I heard lot of story like that where the police was hiding somewhere and waiting for the mouse to enter the trap.
I do realize this, few friends told me that just matter of time for me to experience it. My mitigation for this case, DIR, defensive driving and install dashcam in my car.
re, motor bike; i agreed, the thing I hate the most along with not having a rear light and dangerous maneuvers as if having a multiple life.
my car ADAS keep screaming most of the time.

And don't forget, The Woman with three or four kids, none with a Helmet, pulling out on to the Main Road, without looking to see if a Car, or Bus is about to Slam into Them! ‍

 

[Banana72]

I'm just gonna wait for another band making the "Plos Oplos Oplos" song!!

 

[Wisnu]

You get it

 

[serious_fun]

However, in this case, I really sympathize with the Sukatani Band - although, to be honest I don't love their logo, but further checked, I admit the logo does not really reflecting what I was thinking.
Moreover, Novi, the vocalist, was fired from school one day after her school was visited by the police - with a reason that was too far-fetched.
Further checking on the internet, I found that Novi was graduated with a thesis on music and children's education in Islamic elementary schools.
And she put a quote from a poem by Wiji Tukul:
Courage needs to be trained, it doesn't come suddenly like God's revelation.

I have more respect to her

I agree 10000%. I was really angry when I heard that she was fired from her position. The cowardice shown by the authorities in this case is glaring, and it is being watched by people from many places across the earth.

Shall we share stories of when the police helped us without paying or expecting something in return?

IMO, this issue is not about corruption. This issue is about the freedom of expression in Indonesia. The band has a song that offends some people? Well, then the people who are offended don't need to listen to the song. The reaction by the authoritarians only shows insecurity and disrespect. The reaction by the authoritarians created a 'Streisand Effect' which has made a HUGE number of people listen to the song and become aware of what the song implies. (the band Sukatani couldn't have dreamed of better promotion - I'd guess that they'll be invited to festivals around the world now!)

How the polisi dealt with such a trivial matter make the authoritarians look quite foolish and provincial. The senior members had to scramble to try to salvage some credibility.

The hilarious thing is how the government is trying to push for a more robust 'creative economy' even as they try to squash synthesis in cases where content ruffles a few feathers.

 

[harryopal1]

yes, I heard lot of story like that where the police was hiding somewhere and waiting for the mouse to enter the trap.
I do realize this, few friends told me that just matter of time for me to experience it. My mitigation for this case, DIR, defensive driving and install dashcam in my car.
re, motor bike; i agreed, the thing I hate the most along with not having a rear light and dangerous maneuvers as if having a multiple life.
my car ADAS keep screaming most of the time.

The sad thing is the poor opinion that so many have of the police and the expectation of being pressured to pay if stopped on the roads. Ironic given that despite this most fellow motorists behave quite well. Having got used to the chaos of motorbikes coming from and overtaking from every direction and with a turn light blinking for a mile without turning, or suddenly turning without warning, the every increasingly jam packed macet and the occasional police escort demanding everyone pull over for someone who is obviously very important, on the whole, at least in Bali, there is a surprising amount of tolerance and despite the frustrations one rarely sees road rage. Pedestrians can mostly cross frantically busy roads exercising watchfulness and traffic allowing people to cross without blasting them with loud horns. At barely moving intersections when needing to enter left of right or coming off a minor lane, many motorists will pause to let you through. I take nothing for granted, am ever watchful, not not timid but really appreciate a kind gesture often accompanied by a smile as one is allowed to enter or cross the traffic flow.

Despite the chaos, and perhaps the police, people have adapted surprisingly well.

 

[pantaiema]

The Central Java Police denied any pressure or prohibition regarding the song’s circulation. “There is none. Every citizen has the right to express their opinions freely. As far as I know, there is no ban,”

"Novi, the vocalist, was fired from school one day after her school was visited by the police - with a reason that was too far-fetched."

Highly contradictory. While there are still many dedicated police officers who genuinely love their work, I have also shared news stories highlighting a different reality. Some street vendors and others in similar situations are reportedly willing to pay over a hundred million rupiah just for their sons to become low ranking police cadets, despite a base salary of less than Rp3 million per month. Not to mention police generals involved in drugs trading and distribution, getting bribed from businessman to protect businessmen from investigation.

 

[serious_fun]

The Jakarta Post has another opinion piece re: this issue.

Sukatani's ordeal is a clear reminder that even after 25 years of Reformasi, censorship remains a fact of life for artists, and while threats of censorship of music are a rarity under the current political situation, when it does occur, it can be as ugly as during the past authoritarian regime.

To reiterate, this issue isn't about polisi acting like a mini Sambo... this is about freedom of expression for all of us, not just creatives.

 

[serious_fun]

Sukatani disclosed that they have experienced intimidation since July 2024... but now the polisi want to look good , even going so far as to escort the band at shows??

 

[Wisnu]

it took a little time for them to be as quoted in her thesis:
Courage needs to be trained, it doesn't come suddenly like God's revelation.

 

[pantaiema]

it took a little time for them to be as quoted in her thesis:
Courage needs to be trained, it doesn't come suddenly like God's revelation.

In my opinion, training alone doesn’t make much of a difference in Indonesia, especially when considering the situation here. How many whistleblowers have come forward, only to end up in jail while the real culprits remain free to continue their illegal actions?

Punk band Sukatani mentioned in this thread is just one of many examples. If you are writing lyrics, you should be the first to truly believe in what you are writing. Yet, what happened? They ended up publicly apologising after facing intense pressure from the police.

Their will may be unbreakable, but their heart is not made of steel.