Spend too much time reading internet comments and you’ll find yourself listening to the scum of the earth. Yet most of these comments are nothing but the opinions and empty threats of those who only dare to talk tough while hiding behind a screen.
Not this time. Two grown men with differing opinions on politics began a “Tweetwar” that escalated into an actual physical brawl.
It all began when President Joko Widodo visited Malaysia to talk about the prospect of collaborating with Malaysia’s car manufacturers Proton to produce Indonesia’s national car. One Twitter user, @panca66, criticized Jokowi’s move. Another, @redinparis, a Jokowi supporter, defended the president.
Things started off quite amicably:
And then things escalated, quite slowly at first:
But when the two failed to convince one another with words and thoughtful arguments, they knew they had to resort to fisticuffs:
So a fight date was set for 7pm on February 11 at Istora Senayan. Detik reported that the two men brought their friends along with them, but only to watch. It was exclusively a one-on-one affair.
Journalists were apparently also present to witness the fight. Photos of the fight were taken by professionals and published online, like in Detik.
Most of the photos show @panca66, who wore the black t-shirt, pinning down @redinparis on the ground, suggesting that the Jokowi hater possibly had the edge in the fight.
But who actually won the fight? Who cares. What’s clear is that dignity and common sense lost out here.
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