Dita Aprilia, subdistrict chief of Rancabungur in Bogor Regency, said the subdistrict office did not force a barber to make an apology video after a warning video about displaying the red and white flag went viral. Dita stated that the barber came to the subdistrict office in the evening accompanied by the local neighbourhood and community officials to clarify the matter, not to be asked to make an apology.
Dita said she did not meet with the barber when he came to the subdistrict office and was unaware of the process of making the apology video. According to the official, the video was made in the office of the Civil Service Police (Satpol PP) of Rancabungur Subdistrict without the knowledge of the subdistrict office, and the subdistrict office also did not know how the video was then spread on social media.
In the video that circulated, Dita was seen asking the barber to display the flag, and then someone filming asked the barber in a raised voice about the reason for not displaying the flag. Another video showed the barber apologizing while holding the red and white flag. Dita said the person who warned the barber in the video was not an employee of Rancabungur Subdistrict, but rather a media friend who was helping to encourage residents.
Dita explained that she visited the barber's shop on Monday (10/8) to distribute flags or encourage the installation of flags. She felt there was inappropriate language from the barber, and the media friend who heard it then became emotional. Dita then asked the Secretary of Rancabungur Subdistrict to enter and help calm the situation.
Since early August, the subdistrict office has distributed red and white flags to residents deemed to be in need, while residents considered to be able to afford them were only encouraged to install flags independently. Dita also said that previously the barber had been warned by the neighbourhood official because of his language.
