Accused of Slander by Komdigi, Amien Rais Refuses to Retract Statement
Chairman of the Majelis Syura of Partai Ummat, Amien Rais, has responded to the Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs, Meutya Hafid, who described his statement as slander and character assassination.
Amien’s statement concerns allegations of closeness between President Prabowo Subianto and State Secretary Teddy Indra Wijaya.
Amien stated he is prepared to be taken to court if the mentioned parties object and can prove his accusations.
“I was informed by legal experts that Komdigi has no authority. So, the one with authority is Teddy himself, and that will be brought to court. And in court, I am very confident, show it! I will ask several specialist doctors whether he is gay or not. That’s it, then we can chat again,” said Amien when met after the Partai Ummat National Congress in Sleman on Sunday (3/5).
In addition, he emphasised the importance of freedom of expression in the democratic system adopted by Indonesia.
“Well, that’s how it is with me. First, I am certain that democracy runs well if the freedom to express opinions guaranteed by our constitution is not restricted or suppressed,” he said.
Amien views differences of opinion, including those opposing the government, as normal as long as they concern the nation’s interests.
“However, in a democratic country, people are allowed to express opinions. Contradicting the official ruler, contradicting other groups of the people, and so on. But what is the point of conflict, the point of difference, is that it concerns the fate of the nation,” he said.
This controversy originated from a video uploaded by Amien on his YouTube channel titled ‘KEEP THE PALACE AWAY FROM MORAL SCANDALS’ lasting about eight minutes. The video is no longer accessible.
Previously, Meutya described the video as character assassination. Meutya stated that Amien Rais’s statement contains hate speech and has the potential to divide the nation.
“The Ministry of Communication and Digital (Komdigi) has identified the dissemination of a video containing narratives of slander, character assassination, and personal attacks directed at the President of the Republic of Indonesia. The video was uploaded by the Chairman of the Majelis Syura of Partai Ummat,” said Meutya in an Instagram post @kemkomdigi on Saturday (2/5).
“Komdigi asserts that the content of the video is hoaxes, slander, and contains hate speech. The narrative constructed is an attempt to demean the dignity of the Supreme Leader of the State, lacks factual basis, and is part of a provocation effort to create public unrest. This has the potential to divide the nation,” she said.
Meutya stated that Komdigi will take steps in accordance with applicable laws. Anyone who creates and participates in distributing and/or transmitting the video knowingly, she said, has committed a legal violation as regulated in the ITE Law Number 1 of 2024 Article 27A and Article 28 (2).