Indonesian Police Probe YouTuber Bigmo Over Vape Promotion Involving Children

Indonesian authorities are investigating YouTuber Muhammad Jannah, widely known as Bigmo, for allegedly promoting vape liquid in a live stream that involved children. The Metro Jaya Regional Police are working with the Indonesian Child Protection Commission (KPAI) to examine the case, focusing on child protection aspects and legal implications.

"The investigators from the Directorate of Women's and Children Protection of the Metro Jaya Police are following up by coordinating with KPAI DKI Jakarta and criminal law experts to explore the child protection aspects and the application of law in this case," stated Kombes Budi Hermanto, Head of Public Relations for the Metro Jaya Police. Investigators also plan to summon Melvin, the content creator identified as being involved, for questioning, though a specific date has not yet been set.

This investigation follows a report filed against Bigmo. The YouTuber had previously appeared for questioning on August 10th, where he was reportedly asked around 40 questions. Bigmo's lawyer, Sangun Ragahdo, asserted that the live stream was spontaneous and unscripted, denying any intent to exploit children. "Bigmo just came there with two friends, everything happened spontaneously, and yes, perhaps in the incident that recently went viral, mentioning a brand, it was just spontaneous, there was no intention from the start to, in quotes, exploit children," Ragahdo explained.

Ragahdo also stated that Bigmo has since met with the parents of the children involved in the video to offer his apologies. "As a gesture of goodwill, Bigmo has visited and paid respects to the families of the minors involved, and during the meeting, Bigmo offered his apologies, and the parents have since forgiven him, and there is no longer any issue," he said. Bigmo himself issued a public apology for the controversy, promising to create more positive and beneficial content in the future.