Indonesian Punk Band Sukatani Remove Viral Track Criticising Police From Streaming Services

Indonesian punk band Sukatani has removed a viral track that criticised police from streaming services and uploaded a video apologising to the National Police Force.

Since their formation in 2022, Sukatani have released songs about “social injustices and agrarian concerns.” The band members, who perform under the monikers Alectroguy (guitarist) and Twister Angel (vocals), often wear balaclavas and give vegetables to the crowd at their gigs, showing solidarity with farmers’ struggles.

Unite Asia reports that the band, based in Purbalingga, Central Java, were recently held by police and “forced to clarify” one of their protest songs.

The song in question is Bayar Bayar Bayar (which roughly translates to Pay Pay Pay), which the band removed from streaming services after issuing an apology to the National Police. The band also urged anyone who has recordings of the song from concerts or any other environment to delete them.

Sukatani guitarist Muhammad Syifa Al Ufti – who was unmasked along with vocalist Novi Chitra Indriyaki (the pair reportedly wear masks when they perform to protect their identities) – stated in a video posted on Instagram on Thursday (20 February) that the song was directed at individual police officers who misused their power, not at the entire police force.

“I originally wrote the song as a critique of corrupt police officers. I now urge everyone who has uploaded ‘Bayar Bayar Bayar’, particularly those using the lyric ‘pay the police’, to delete it,” Ulti said, as translated by The Jakarta Post and Indonesia Business Post.

Ulti added, “With this, I appeal to all social media users who already have our song to delete and withdraw all videos that use the song. Otherwise, should there be a risk in the future, it is not our responsibility.”

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Following the band’s apology and the song’s removal, the local punk music community has accused the police of censoring freedom of expression.

Central Java Police denied they pressured the band regarding the song’s circulation. Criminal Investigation Director of Central Java Police, Commissioner Dwi Subagio, said (per CNA Lifestyle): “There is none. Every citizen has the right to express their opinions freely. As far as I know, there is no ban.”

National Police Chief General Listyo Sigit Prabowo added that the police have “no problem” with the band’s apology and suggested there may have been some miscommunication. “There is no problem. There may have been a mistake, but it has been corrected.”