TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The circumstances surrounding the SUKATANI band's clarification video, which had puzzled netizens, have been revealed. Through their Instagram account on Saturday, March 1, 2025, the punk band from Purbalingga, Central Java, disclosed that they have experienced intimidation since July 2024.
Muhammad Syifa Al Lufti, also known as Alectroguy, and Novi Citra Indriyati, alias Twister Angel, detailed the intimidation and their condition following the "Bayar Bayar Bayar" song clarification video.
"We'd like to inform you that we are in good condition but are still in the recovery process after the series of incidents that we have faced since July 2024," they began their statement. "We continue to receive pressure and intimidation from the police, until finally we uploaded a clarification video for the song entitled 'Bayar Bayar Bayar' via social media."
According to the statement on the SUKATANI band's account, the clarification video, uploaded on February 20, 2025, resulted in both material and non-material losses. This was due to their statement in the video that they were withdrawing all "Bayar Bayar Bayar" songs from all platforms under police duress.
The song "Bayar Bayar Bayar" was considered insulting to the Indonesian Police institution. The lyrics depicted Indonesian citizens having to pay the police for various matters and activities.
SUKATANI Declines Police Ambassadorship
However, the SUKATANI band personnel stated that they found a silver lining in the video: they are receiving widespread support from various parties. This bolstered their resolve.
This was especially true when they learned that Twister Angel was dismissed from her teaching position at the Mutiara Hati Islamic Elementary School (SDIT) in Banjarnegara Regency, Central Java. "After we uploaded the clarification video, there were many offers to Twister Angel due to the response to the dismissal."
SUKATANI also revealed they were offered Police Ambassadorships by the Chief of National Police, General Listyo Sigit Prabowo, an offer they chose to decline.
The SUKATANI band's statement also clarified Novi's dismissal from the school. According to their Instagram post, Novi was indeed unilaterally dismissed by the foundation's management. "The reason was, 'Twister Angel is one of the SUKATANI Punk Band personnel'," wrote SUKATANI.
Various other statements had given different reasons for Novi's dismissal, not attributing it to her being a member of the SUKATANI band.
"Even the letter of dismissal received did not explain at all whether Twister Angel's participation as a SUKATANI personnel was a serious violation," they wrote.
Editor's Pick: Police: Sukatani Band Intimidation Case Being Handled by Propam Polri
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