Aep Sopandi, Bandung – West Java Police have arrested a YouTuber who sparked widespread online outrage after making derogatory remarks targeting the Sundanese ethnic group, authorities said on Wednesday.
The suspect, Adimas Firdaus, known online as "Resbob," has been named a suspect in a hate speech case stemming from videos broadcast on his channel.
West Java Police chief Inspector General Rudi Setiawan said Adimas is a live streamer who earns income directly from viewer payments during live broadcasts.
"Resbob is a live streamer. From these live streaming activities, he receives payments from viewers," Rudi told reporters in Bandung.
Investigators believe Adimas, 25, deliberately made controversial statements to attract more viewers and increase revenue, Rudi said.
"I am convinced that Resbob was fully aware that such controversial remarks would go viral. Once viral, viewership increases, and so do the payments," he added.
Police said the content broadcast by Adimas generated economic benefits, leading investigators to conclude that the hate speech was intentionally disseminated for personal gain, an offense under Indonesian law.
"He deliberately transmitted the content to obtain financial benefit," Rudi said.
Under Indonesia's Information and Electronic Transactions Law, Adimas faces a potential prison sentence of up to six years.
The YouTuber had drawn public anger after stereotyping Sundanese people as deceitful and lazy, and for insulting supporters of Bandung-based football club Persib by likening them to animals.
Adimas has since issued a public apology in a video statement, claiming he was under the influence of alcohol when he made the remarks.
Despite the apology, Sundanese organizations and prominent figures – including politicians, artists, comedians, local officials, and Persib supporters – voiced strong condemnation, with several filing police reports.
Adimas had reportedly moved between several locations before being arrested in Semarang earlier this week, police said.
Source: https://jakartaglobe.id/news/indonesian-youtuber-accused-of-profiting-from-ethnic-hate-speec