Andita Rahma, Jakarta – Head of the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit Comm. General Agus Andrianto urged his personnel to avert from acting aggressively against street mural artists behind the wall painting resembling the President, which became viral as its eyes were covered by a statement '404: Not Found.'
"The President is not pleased if we act responsively towards such things. The National Police Chief always reminds us that, especially in interpreting the ITE Law," Agus confirmed to Tempo on Thursday, August 19.
Andrianto personally argued that nothing is wrong with conveying criticism. But he reminded people to stay within the boundaries and not create slander instead, especially if it can be viewed as a means to disrupt unity.
"I think there is nothing wrong with criticizing the government. But we will handle cases if it [contains] slander, trying to divide the nation, and are intolerant," he added.
Street murals criticizing the government's handling of the Covid-19 pandemic have spread across a number of regions followed by police crackdown on the artist behind the painting. However, this sparked public outrage as many of the murals were quickly erased.