An Indonesian newspaper has accused Malaysia’s news agency Bernama of plagiarising two articles it published online pertaining to the ongoing presidential debates.

According to Jakarta Globe , the most recent incident occurred on Sunday when Bernama plagiarised “word for word” an article published on the Jakarta Globe website entitled “In Closing Debate, Joko Promises Bureaucratic ‘Breakthrough,’ While Prabowo Strives for ‘A Dignified Nation.’”

The article, it said, was part as part of its live coverage of the fifth and final Indonesian presidential debate which was published on July 5.

However, it claimed that Bernama has published a similar article the next day under the heading, “Joko Promises Bureaucratic ‘Breakthrough,’ While Prabowo Strives for ‘A Dignified Nation.’”

“The Malaysian news agency had copied the Globe ’s piece verbatim, attributing one of the many quotes in the article to this newspaper.

“ Bernama also removed the names of Globe reporters Josua Gantan and Andrea Wijaya, the original authors of the story, replacing the byline with what is assumed to be the name of a Bernama journalist, Elmi Rizal Alias,” the Indonesian newspaper claimed on its website yesterday.

It also accused Bernama of plagiarising an earlier story by its reporter Basten Gokkon on the fourth debate “Hatta Says Indonesia Should Take Advantage of Its ‘Demographic Bonus.’”.

This, it said, was published by Bernama under the headline “Indonesia Should Take Advantage  of Its ‘Demographic Bonus’ - Hatta” in which Bernama had claimed it was written by its reporter Elmi.

The newspaper claimed that it has been unable to garner a response from the national news agency.

When contacted today, the news agency has admitted that there were some basis to the plagiarism accusation made by the Indonesian newspaper.

Basis in plagiarism allegation, says Bernama chief