Government Pushes for Investigation of Marcella Santoso for Funding of Negative Anti-TNI Law Content
Jakarta – The government and law enforcement officers continue to demonstrate a strong commitment to upholding the law and thoroughly investigating the case of the spread of provocative content and misleading information that disrupts national stability. The current focus is on the confession of defendant Marcella Santoso, an advocate involved in the creation of negative content, including the anti-Revised TNI Law narrative, the “Dark Indonesia” petition, and attacks on high-ranking state officials, including President Prabowo Subianto.
The Indonesian National Armed Forces Headquarters (Mabes TNI) emphasized its full support for the Attorney General’s Office (Kejagung) to uncover the network behind Marcella’s actions. In a press conference at the Kejagung Building, South Jakarta, a video of Marcella’s confession was played, expressing deep regret for her role in spreading provocative content. “I apologize for the content that attacks the Attorney General’s Office, state leaders, and issues such as the TNI Bill petition,” Marcella said in the video.
TNI Information Center Chief Major General Kristomei Sianturi emphasized that the TNI will work together with the police, prosecutors, and related agencies to investigate Marcella’s network. “The TNI will always support the firm steps of law enforcement officers. Any form of action that damages public trust and national stability will be handled professionally and based on the law,” Kristomei said in Jakarta. He added, “We fully support the disclosure of the flow of funds, the buzzer network, and any parties involved.”
The AGO revealed that Marcella was involved in a case of obstruction of justice related to corruption, including the provision of CPO export facilities worth more than IDR 11 trillion by the Wilmar Group. Director of Investigation at Jampidsus Abdul Qohar stated that Marcella worked with former JAKTV News Director Tian Bahtiar and Cyber Army team leader M Adhiya Muzakki, who deployed 150 buzzers to influence public opinion. The goal was to weaken law enforcement in three major corruption cases, including the CPO case, tin commodities, and sugar imports.
“The attacks through social media were made to appear as if the Attorney General’s investigation was a criminalization,” said Qohar. Marcella also admitted to creating negative content that attacked the Attorney General, Jampidsus, and President Prabowo personally, although she emphasized that she had no personal hatred.
The government appealed to the public to remain critical and not to spread unverified information. With synergy between agencies, law enforcement is expected to provide a deterrent effect for perpetrators and maintain national stability.
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