A viral video circulating across Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok falsely claims Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa is calling for the death penalty and asset confiscation for corruptors, according to a verification report published by Tempo.
Social Media Claims and Viral Video Content
The manipulated video shows Indonesian Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa addressing corruption as a major crime that warrants severe punishments. According to the footage, the speaker states that the death penalty must be implemented as a personal suggestion to President Prabowo Subianto because corruptors steal billions yet receive unfair, light sentences. The video further asserts that extraordinary crimes require extraordinary punishments, demanding that all assets be confiscated so that individuals do not leave prison rich.
However, Tempo verified the content through a reverse image search and comparison with credible information, concluding that the claims are false. The full recording does not feature Purbaya discussing the death penalty, and the viral post stems from fake news engineering applied to old footage.
Video Verification and Technical Modifications
The original recording traces back to a 33-minute, 15-second press conference uploaded to the Kompas TV YouTube channel on September 19, 2025. Held at the Ministry of Finance office in Jakarta during the second week of Purbaya’s term as Minister of Finance, the actual event featured the official answering reporters’ questions about strengthening the economy, tax amnesty, handling illegal cigarettes, and filtering smuggled goods at customs.
According to the verification findings, the video’s creator altered the sound and flipped the image horizontally. This manipulation shifted the microphone position, wall decoration lines, and the direction of Purbaya’s face. The modified audio featured an unnaturally flat intonation that differed from Purbaya’s original voice.
Expert Analysis and Deepfake Detection
Tempo asked the Deepfakes Analysis Unit of the Trusted Information Alliance India to examine the content using impersonation detection applications. Analysis using The Hive showed a voice manipulation level of 86.8 percent.
Analysts stated that background music was inserted intentionally to hinder detection tool accuracy, but manual analysis confirmed machine generation. Investigators found inconsistent eyeglass frame shapes blending into the skin, blurry and clear lip areas, white patches on the lips and upper teeth, and white squares resembling dentures of inconsistent height. In a written statement on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, Deepfakes Analysis Unit analysts noted that these anomalies indicate extensive manipulation of the mouth area by irresponsible parties.
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