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Indonesia investigates ‘defamatory’ insults on Instagram about the Sultan of Brunei

Complaint was made to Indonesian police about ‘defamatory’ photos and comments on Instagram by the account ‘anti_hassanal’

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Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah waves to well-wishers during a procession as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei in 2017. File photo: EPA
Associated Press

The Sultan of Brunei has made a complaint of defamation to the Indonesian police about an Instagram account that criticised the wealthy leader of Southeast Asia’s smallest nation.

Jakarta police spokesman Argo Yuwono said Monday the complaint was made on behalf of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah by the deputy director of the Royal Brunei Police Force.

Yuwono said the police officer, who is part of Brunei’s royal family, was on a visit to Indonesia’s capital, Jakarta, when he found photos of Bolkiah posted along with insulting comments on Instagram by the account “anti_hassanal”.

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The account had deleted all of its posts as of Monday.

Yuwono said: “There are some photos and comments about the Sultan of Brunei considered to have harmed and defamed him.”

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He said police were investigating.

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