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- Indonesian 'Nazi' election video sparks anger
- Updated today at 08:36 PM
- JAKARTA (AFP) - A Indonesian music video aimed at boosting support for a controversial ex-general running for the presidency sparked anger Wednesday after critics said it had Nazi overtones.
- Rock star Ahmad Dhani and other singers performed an adaptation of British band Queen's We Will Rock You, with lyrics supporting Prabowo Subianto for the July 9 poll in which he is facing frontrunner Joko Widodo.
- But social media exploded with anger after critics noted Dhani was wearing a military uniform jacket identical to one often worn by Adolf Hitler's henchman Heinrich Himmler.
- Indonesian-born singer and songwriter Anggun Cipta Sasmi tweeted that the video had made her "shocked, disappointed and ashamed".
- "I pray that Indonesia does not descend into fascism."
- A Twitter user called frizedianto added Dhani wanted Prabowo to be a "Hitler-style" ruler - "fascist, intolerant and authoritarian".
- Even Queen guitarist Brian May waded into the row, insisting on Twitter the adaptation of the song was "completely unauthorised by us".
- However the Indonesian singer appeared unrepentant, telling news website Detik: "The Indonesian people were not involved in the killing of millions of Jews, right?"
- The black jacket resembles one often worn by Himmler, head of the SS and Gestapo, with emblems on the lapels and red decoration on the breast pocket.
- Prabowo's campaign distanced itself from the song, with spokesman Tantowi Yahya saying: "This video is not a product of the campaign team."
- The furore reflected sensitivity about a potential Prabowo presidency.
- He has previously admitted ordering the abduction of democracy activists in the dying days of the three-decade Suharto dictatorship in 1998, and has also been accused of human rights abuses in East Timor.
- Despite concerns about his dark past, Prabowo has in recent weeks narrowed the gap against Widodo - who won legions of supporters during his time as Jakarta governor. A poll out Wednesday showed him only four percent behind.
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