Jokowi Porn Pusher Released From Jail, Told to Clean Mosque

The Jakarta Globe, Nov 03, 2014


Jakarta. The Jakarta resident who allegedly superimposed an image of President Joko Widodo’s face on pornographic photos was released on bail on Monday, only to find out that his neighbors are expecting him to clean the local mosque for a week as punishment.

Residents of Jalan H. Jum of the Kampung Rambutan urban ward in East Jakarta demanded Muhammad Arsyad Assegaf clean the Darul Salam mosque for a week.

“Residents here have agreed to impose a social sanction, this is social work,” said Fahrur Rohman, a relative of Arsyad. “Arysad is also expected to assiduously perform his religious duties.”

The fake photos — not seen by the Jakarta Globe — are believed to feature Joko engaging in sexual intercourse with Megawati Soekarnoputri, the chairwoman of his Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P).

Arsyad, known as Imen, spent eleven days in jail after posting the photos on Facebook. He has been charged with violating the porn law, the electronic information law and articles on defamation in the Criminal Code.

‘President with a big heart’

Arsyad’s parents have met with Joko to ask for his forgiveness. The president indeed forgave the man, but police say the criminal case continues nonetheless.

“We thank President Joko Widodo, who has accepted our apology,” Irfan Fahmi, Arsyad’s lawyer, said on Monday.

Irfan claimed that Arysad did not know that what he did was illegal.

“I’m very sorry for posting the indecent photos,” the suspect himself said, adding that he posted the photos to a group for people opposing the president. But he denied the police accusation that he edited the pictures.

“I took that picture from another person’s Facebook account and posted it to that group,” Arsyad said on Monday.

Comr. Gen. Suhardi Alius, head of the National Police’s crime division, confirmed on Monday that the case was still on.

“The case is a general crime so it will be continued despite the suspect being granted bail,” Suhardi said on Monday. “The president with his big heart has forgiven him, but that forgiveness will not stop this case.”



*