The police are investigating the sale and distribution of a book that allegedly incited hatred towards President Joko Widodo, after having arrested the author Bambang Tri Mulyono.

Police head of public relations Boy Rafli Amar said it was learnt that the book, 'Jokowi Undercover', was being sold on social media by the author himself but police were also looking into its distribution.

The police had banned the book after it was found that it allegedly slandered and insulted the Indonesian President and incited hatred.

"An investigation of the author revealed that the contents of the book were merely the thoughts of the writer not supported by any primary and secondary data," he said.

The writer claimed that the President, better known as Jokowi, had falsified personal particulars when he contested the presidency in 2014. - BERNAMA