Rancabungur Sub-District Head Denies Instructing Intimidation of Barber Over Flag

Rancabungur sub-district head Dita Aprilia has issued a clarification regarding the controversy over a barber being berated by her entourage for not displaying the red-and-white flag. Dita said the official who joined her entourage and recorded the video of barber Nur Hidayat, also known as Abuy, was not a sub-district employee.

“That person is not an employee of Rancabungur Sub-district. Once again, it needs to be emphasised that this person is not an employee of Rancabungur Sub-district,” Dita said in a clarification video on Thursday (13/6/2026).

Dita claimed she never instructed the man to intimidate Abuy. “As the head of Rancabungur Sub-district, I never told that person to intimidate or utter impolite words to Kang Abuy,” Dita said.

Regarding the alleged coercion, Dita explained that the request to install flags was merely an appeal aimed at reminding the public of the heroes’ struggle in winning independence. According to Dita, this appeal is in line with the Bogor Regency Government’s instruction for sub-district heads to distribute red-and-white flags to the public.

“At least during the month of August, from 1 to 31 August, residents should fly the red-and-white flag,” Dita said.

She also denied that Rancabungur Sub-district intimidated Abuy into apologising for his statement that Indonesia had not yet achieved independence.

“And we also did not intimidate Kang Abuy into apologising to us or to any parties within Rancabungur Sub-district,” Dita said.