Jakarta – Police have started an investigation into an incident in South Jakarta on Friday afternoon (30/09) that saw pornographic material being displayed on a so-called videotron, or outdoor video advertising screen.

The incident, which may be related to industrial sabotage, went viral on social media and it was also widely reported in the local media. "It is still being investigated. Our personnel are in the field," Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Awi Setiyono told Beritasatu.com on Friday.

South Jakarta Police investigators have met with representatives of the content provider, Transito Adiman Jati, to investigate the incident.

"The South Jakarta Police chief, criminal investigation chief and personnel from the Jakarta Police criminal investigation unit have visited the advertising office to conduct an investigation," Awi said.

The 24-meter square videotron, owned by Matapena Komunika Advertama, which outsourced the content to Transito Adiman Jati, showed a clip from what appeared to be a Japanese pornographic film.

The video clip went viral after road users recorded and uploaded it to social media. The videotron was later shut down when local residents cut off the electrical supply.

Political fallout

Jakarta gubernatorial candidate Anies Baswedan has meanwhile urged the public not to politicize the incident ahead of the 2017 local election.

According to Anies, the pornography could have been uploaded by hackers via the internet from anywhere, and that is not related to Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama's administration.

"I disagree with the connection between the videotron [case] and Mr. Basuki's candidacy, or the regional election itself," Anies said on Saturday.

He said the case is a minor event that needs to be addressed only on the lowest level, which is the management of the advertising company. He is also prepared to defend Ahok if the governor is accused of having been involved in the incident.

"Mr. Basuki had no business on this issue; do not involve or blame him. In this case, I clearly defend Mr. Basuki," the former education minister said.

Anies said he only hoped that the Jakarta administration would increase security and surveillance on existing videotrons in the capital and ensure fast reporting mechanisms to avoid similar incidents in future.

http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/news/police-investigating-pornographic-display-s-jakarta-videotron/