Achmad Ali, Blitar – Syamsudin, popularly known as Gus Syamsudin, a controversial figure associated with swinger (partner-swapping) content on YouTube, was forcefully taken into custody by investigators from the Criminal Investigation Directorate of East Java Regional Police on Thursday.
The "spiritual figure" from Blitar was securely escorted to the investigator's office on Thursday, where he responded with a "no comment" to reporters' queries.
Syamsudin gained notoriety through a viral video endorsing the idea that individuals have the freedom to choose their partners and engage in relationships based on mutual consent, resulting in the removal of the video.
East Java Regional Police's Head of Public Relations, Dirmanto, said Syamsudin's arrest was prompted by concerns about a potential escape. Days earlier, he had been questioned at the Blitar Police Precinct.
Dirmanto confirmed that the case involving blasphemous content had been taken over by the East Java Regional Police due to Syamsudin's inconsistency in his statements.
"To expedite the examination process, it was taken over by East Java Regional Police," he said on Friday.
The Blitar Regency Forum for Religious Harmony (FKUB) filed a complaint against Syamsudin with the Blitar District Police on Thursday. Chairman Agus Muazin expressed concern about the video's religiously sensitive content, receiving full support from religious leaders for the police's intervention.
"No religion permits what is depicted in the content. We fully support the steps taken by the police to prevent anyone from creating religious content for personal gain," he stated on Thursday.
He urged the public to remain calm and not be provoked by the misleading content, advising them to stay at home and refrain from taking any action related to Syamsudin's case.
A viral video previously circulated on social media, featuring individuals in long attire providing guidance to followers. The content was considered blasphemous as it claimed to permit partner swapping under the condition of mutual consent.
While Syamsudin's followers see him as a kiai (Islamic cleric), his teachings deviate from Islamic values. He claims to have the ability to cure various diseases, including mental illness.
In December, a 60-year-old woman identified as S, one of his patients, was found dead in a bathroom at Syamsudin's residence. No charges were pressed by her family as no signs of violence were found on her body.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/fake-cleric-gus-syamsudin-arrested-amid-swinger-content-scanda