Lawyer Insists Zaskia Gotik Had No Intention to Insult Pancasila
Jakarta. Dangdut singer Zaskia Gotik had no intention to insult Indonesia's state ideology Pancasila, her lawyer Edi Harwanto insisted on Wednesday (30/03), arguing his client had indeed made a series of offending remarks, but had done so in jest.
The 25-year-old entertainer was reported to the police earlier this month for making the alleged insults when she was a guest on entertainment show Dahsyat, broadcast on national TV station RCTI. The report against Zaskia was filed by Fahira Idris, a member of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD), after a footage of the incident went viral on social media and triggered widespread outrage.
Zaskia had jokingly answered, "Aug. 32," instead of Aug. 17 when asked about the date of Indonesia's independence during the show's quiz session.
"She just wanted to make people laugh," said Edi, who accompanied Zaskia during an interrogation session at the Jakarta Police headquarters.
Zaskia also answered, "a twerking duck," when asked if she knew the symbol of the fifth principle in Pancasila. The correct answer is a rice paddy and a cotton plant, a local symbol for social justice.
"She gave that answer spontaneously as the audience in the studio was chanting 'duck, duck,' " Edi said.
Zaskia allegedly violated Indonesia's criminal code on insulting state symbols and could face up to four years in prison if found guilty.
The Indonesian Broadcasting Commission issued a warning letter to Dahsyat and RCTI after Zaskia was reported. It was the second such warning the daily Dahsyat show, which was launched in 2008, has received.
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