PRD accuses Akbar of defamation<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Democratic People's Party (PRD) filed a
\npolice complaint on Friday against chairman of the Golkar Party,
\nAkbar Tandjung, and its deputy chairman, Mahadi Sinambela, for
\naccusing PRD of being behind the vandalism of Golkar offices in
\nEast Java.<\/p>\n
PRD chief Budiman Sudjatmiko, accompanied by lawyers Summa
\nMiharja, Paulus Mahulete and Noni Tri Purwaningsih, challenged
\nthe Golkar Party to come up with material evidence to support
\ntheir charges against PRD.<\/p>\n
\"Golkar has accused PRD of burning their offices in East Java,
\nbut they have no material evidence. If they have any, show it to
\nus. Do not just accuse us without proof,\" Budiman told reporters
\nat the National Police Headquarters.<\/p>\n
\"PRD has never instructed anyone, or been a part of the
\nburning and destruction of Golkar offices anywhere.\"<\/p>\n
Budiman also challenged Akbar and Mahadi to hold an open
\npublic debate with him on the matter of the accusations.<\/p>\n
\"I am sure that they will not be able to do it, since they
\nhave nobody intelligent enough in their party to hold a debate in
\nwhich proof is needed to support whatever statement you make,\"
\nBudiman said.<\/p>\n
Akbar had accused PRD, City Forum (Forkot), Student Action
\nForum for Reform and Democracy (Famred) and the City Network
\n(Jarkot) of being the orchestrators of the vandalism on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Golkar officially filed a report with the National Police over
\nthe vandalization and torching of the party's offices in East
\nJava, saying that it had caused the party losses of more than Rp
\n20 billion (US$2 million).<\/p>\n
The party also filed a complaint with the police alleging
\nlibel against Hasyim Muzadi, the chairman of the country's
\nlargest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, who reportedly said
\nthat Golkar was behind the student rally which demand Gus Dur's
\nresignation.<\/p>\n
City Forum (Forkot) on Friday demanded Akbar to apologize to
\nthe student groups for his statement about their role in the
\nvandalism in East Java.<\/p>\n
Forkot spokesman Muri Sabu said that Akbar should make the
\napology in the next 48 hours.<\/p>\n
\"Otherwise, we will find justice in our own way,\" Muri said at
\nthe office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Association (PBHI), as
\nquoted by Antara.<\/p>\n
Separately, National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf
\nsaid on Friday that the memorandum by the House of
\nRepresentatives to censure President Abdurrahman Wahid is lacking
\nin legal facts,<\/p>\n
\"The testimonies handed over by the House's special committee
\nis just preliminary information that needs to be clarified
\nfurther. It is not sufficient as legally acceptable evidence,\"
\nSaleh said.<\/p>\n
Police, in cooperation with the Attorney General's Office, are
\nstill studying the memorandum, he said.<\/p>\n
He said the police would also consult with several legal
\nexperts to study the results of the House's special committee
\nwhich is investigating two scandals linked to President.<\/p>\n
\"We will soon decide our stance on the matter,\" Saleh said.<\/p>\n
Separately the Bishops's Council of Indonesia (KWI) in a
\nstatement on Thursday called all sides, both that the support and
\nreject the House's special committee report to remain calm and
\nmaintain a democratic conduct towards the whole affair.<\/p>\n
They also urged the political elites to be mindful of their
\nconduct as it could permeate and aggravate the situation in the
\ngrassroots level. (ylt\/jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/prd-accuses-akbar-of-defamation-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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