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February 23, 2025 | 08:58 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Novi Citra, also known as Twister Angel, the vocalist of the duo SUKATANI, reportedly got fired from the Integrated Islamic Elementary School Mutiara Hati in Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java, where she was teaching. Her dismissal was a result of the lyrics of the song 'Bayar-Bayar-Bayar' being deemed as insulting to the Indonesian police. Immediately after the SUKATANI duo, Novi and Syifa Al Lufti, also known as Alectroguy, made a viral video apologizing to the National Police Chief and withdrawing the song 'Bayar-Bayar-Bayar', support flowed for the punk band from Purbalingga.
Regent of Purbalingga will Facilitate School for Novi SUKATANI
Hearing the news, Regent of Purbalingga Fahmi Muhammad Hanif, who was attending a Regional Head retreat in Magelang, stated that he would provide a new school for Novi to teach. "I, Fahmi Muhammad Hanif, with open arms, am ready to welcome Mbak Novi if she is willing to serve at a school in Purbalingga Regency," said Fahmi in a video uploaded to his Instagram account on Saturday, February 22, 2025. "Insha'Allah, as the Regent of Purbalingga, I am ready to facilitate and support," he added.
The Federation of Indonesian Teachers' Unions (FSGI) also responded to the news of her dismissal. Through a statement received by Tempo today, FSGI Chairman Fahmi Hatib condemned the dismissal. FSGI found that Novi's data had been deleted from the Education Personnel Data (Dapodik) on February 13, 2025, a week before SUKATANI made the apology video.
FSGI stated that the dismissal of teachers is regulated in Law No. 14/2005 concerning teachers and the Minister of Education and Culture Regulation on Teacher Protection. If it's a private teacher, he said, the Labor Law can be used.
FSGI: Novi's Dismissal Violates the Law
Secondly, teachers are also citizens guaranteed by the Indonesian constitution to express opinions and enrich themselves. "So, the dismissal (strongly suspected of being forced to resign because the school also felt pressured) is clearly arbitrary and strongly suspected of violating existing laws and regulations," he said. The third point, if the dismissal is indeed related to the right to express in the song 'Bayar-Bayar-Bayar', then FSGI condemns the dismissal and calls for support for the restoration of Novi's rights as a teacher.
FSGI also urged the Ministry of Education and Culture and the local Education Office to defend Novi as a teacher. "FSGI urges the police to provide protection to the teacher without pressure," said Fahmi.
SUKATANI Reports in Safe Conditions
Earlier, in an Instagram Story post today, SUKATANI expressed gratitude for the support received from various parties. "We also want to report that our condition has improved and we are in a safer space," wrote SUKATANI.
The song 'Bayar-Bayar-Bayar' is included in the album Gelap Gempita. This album was chosen as Tempo's 2025 Album Choice. The song's lyrics criticize the habit of having to pay every time dealing with the police.
Editor's Choice: Sukatani's Song Polemic; Fadli Zon Calls for Balanced Freedom of Expression
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Here is the list of the top 3 news on Tempo English today, February 22, 2025.
Sukatani's Song Polemic; Fadli Zon Calls for Balanced Freedom of Expression
1 hari lalu
A punk group from Purbalingga, Sukatani, previously pulled the song 'Bayar Bayar Bayar' from all streaming platforms.
Central Java Police Admits Asking Sukatani for Clarification, Deny Coercion
1 hari lalu
Sukatani announced the withdrawal of their song 'Bayar Bayar Bayar', which criticized the police, from all streaming platforms.
Police Chief Responds to Sukatani's Song
1 hari lalu
Police General Listyo Sigit Prabowo responded to Sukatani's song, whose lyrics are considered to be highly critical of the police.
PBHI Alleges Police Intimidation in Sukatani Echoes New Order Regime Tactics
1 hari lalu
PBHI recalls that the restriction and suppression of freedom of artistic expression is a characteristic of the authoritarian New Order regime.
Sukatani's Song Pulled; PBHI Suspects Police Intimidation
1 hari lalu
Sukatani cannot be reached by management on the way from Bali to Banyuwangi after the performance.
Sukatani's Song Pulled; Musicians Highlight Suppression of Creative Freedom
2 hari lalu
Sukatani Band has withdrawn its song 'Bayar Bayar Bayar'. Musicians are concerned about intimidation and the narrowing space for freedom of expression
Local Punk Band Sukatani Apologizes to Police Chief, Withdraws Song from Streaming Platforms
2 hari lalu
Purbalingga-based punk band, Sukatani withdraws the song titled 'Bayar Bayar Bayar' from all music streaming platforms.
Expert Urges Schools to Form Task Force on Juvenile Violence Prevention
7 November 2023
FSGI urged all schools in Indonesia to form a team on prevention and management against juvenile violence (PPK).
AP II Completes Construction of Purbalingga Airport's Runway
31 Januari 2021
AP II has completed the construction of airside facilities including runway, taxiway and apron at Jenderal Besar Soedirman Airport in Purbalingga.
