Makassar Election Fallout: Campaign Leader Threatens Legal Action Over Social Media Accusations
Makassar, Indonesia – The aftermath of the Makassar mayoral election has seen a controversial turn, with Mario David, Chairman of the Sehati Daily campaign team, threatening legal action against online accusations blaming him for the loss of his chosen candidate pair.
The embattled campaign leader formally reported the matter to the Makassar police, stating his displeasure with what he considers defamation and character assassination. David, representing Andi Seto Gadhista Asapa and Rezki Mulfiati Lutfi (SEHATI), cited a TikTok video posted by the user @militansehati as the source of the harmful allegations. The video pointed a finger directly at David, declaring, "Inimi is responsible for the loss of Mario David."
David expressed his strong objection to the accusations, emphasizing the importance of responsible social media usage. "We are all smart in using social media," he stated, urging others to refrain from making unfounded accusations. He confirmed to authorities that he submitted evidence supporting his claim, including conversations from various social media groups. “I also gave the whole verification process to the police," David stated.
The controversy comes on the heels of the November 27th election results, which saw Munafri Arifuddin and Aliyah Mustika Ilham (MULIA) secure a decisive victory with a staggering lead of over 55% according to quick count figures. SEHATI, along with Indira Yusuf Ismail-Ilham Ari Fauzi (INIMI) and Amri Arsyid-Abdul Rahman Bando (AMAN), trailed significantly behind.
This contentious situation throws a spotlight on the increasingly prominent role of social media in political discourse, raising concerns about the spread of misinformation and its potential impact on democratic processes. As David pursues legal action, the case serves as a reminder of the responsibility that comes with wielding online platforms for political expression.
rigueur des ligeus, tweeting that the situation was “trouble brewing in paradise.”
