Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesian musician Ahmad Prasetyo, alias Ahmad Dhani, is barred from traveling abroad for six months, as the police have named him a suspect in a defamation case, Indonesian Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo stated.

"Based on Law No. 6 of 2011 on immigration, the period of the ban is six months," Dedi remarked here on Monday.

The move to ban the musician from traveling abroad is aimed at accelerating the investigation process, he noted, adding that the police had summoned the musician for questioning.

The East Java police has named Dhani as a suspect in a defamation case filed by Edi Firmanto, head of the Coalition to Defend Indonesia, one of the groups that rejects the declaration of #2019GantiPresiden (#2019ChangePresident).

Firmanto accused Dhani of making a hate speech by uttering offensive words directed at demonstrators at the Majapahit Hotel in Surabaya on Aug 26.

Dhani`s remark was recorded and uploaded on social media.

The East Java Police is scheduled to question Dhani on Tuesday (Oct 23), as the musician had failed to appear before the police during the first summon.

Dhani and some activists canceled the declaration of #2019ChangePresident in Surabaya after the police did not give the permit, for fear that the event would spark a clash between the pro and anti forces of the movement.

Reporting by Anita Permata Dewi
Editing by Sri Haryati

Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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