JAKARTA, RAKYAT NEWS – “Apalah arti sebuah lagu”. “True art flourishes in the freedom of expression, and its silence is the death of a society’s voice.”

Amnesty International Indonesia has expressed deep concern over the recent withdrawal of a musical work created by the band Sukatani, which was critical of the police. The band’s song, Bayar Bayar Bayar, went viral on social media, only to be retracted after the group issued an apology video to the National Police Chief and his staff. Usman Hamid, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Indonesia, has condemned the actions surrounding the incident and demanded accountability from the authorities.

On Thursday, February 20, 2025, the band Sukatani made a surprising announcement by posting an apology video addressed to the National Police Chief and the police institution. The apology followed the viral spread of their song Bayar Bayar Bayar, which contained lyrics criticizing the police. In addition to the apology, Sukatani stated that they would withdraw the song from circulation and urged their followers to remove it from social media platforms. This unexpected turn of events has raised serious concerns about artistic freedom and state censorship in Indonesia.

He emphasized that such an apology video could not have been produced without significant pressure. He stated, “Amnesty deeply regrets the recurring incidents of artwork being removed from the public space. It is clear that without coercion, Sukatani would not have issued an apology to the police.” He called for the National Police Chief (Kapolri) to immediately investigate the matter and address any forms of pressure or intimidation that may have led to the band’s actions.