Jakarta – The Bogor police have named a man identified as M, 25, as a suspect of allegedly burning red and white umbul-umbul (decorative flags) placed by residents around Ibnu Mas'ud pesantren (Islamic boarding school) in Kampung Jami, Bogor regency, on Wednesday, a day before Indonesia's Independence Day.
The police believe M violated article No. 24 of the 2009 National Flag, Language, Emblem and Anthem of Indonesia Law which dictates that such actions could bring a maximum punishment of five years in prison.
The police named him as a suspect after questioning M and 29 witnesses. "The suspect is one of the pesantren teachers," Bogor police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. AM Dicky said on Friday as quoted by kompas.com.
The incident occurred on Wednesday evening when M burned the decorative flags, sparking the anger of residents around the pesantren.
The national police spokesman, Insp. Gen. Setyo Wasisto said the police would investigate further to ascertain whether the people involved in the act were connected to any radical groups. (cal)