PBB legislator accused of attempted rape

PBB legislator accused of attempted rape

MEDAN, North Sumatra: A number of regional offices of the
Crescent Star Party (PBB) have urged the party's central board to
dismiss one of their Medan legislative councillors, identified
only as IBJ, for alleged sexual harassment against a schoolgirl.

In their joint statement released recently, leaders of 16
party branches threatened to dissolve their offices if the
central board failed to heed their demand.

The statement was also submitted to PBB secretary-general MS
Kaban, who visited Medan over the weekend.

A fact-finding team set up by PBB's Medan branch office has
obtained testimony from a 16-year-old student from a school
founded by the councillor. The girl said IBJ tried to rape her in
a hotel on Nov. 10, but she managed to escape after she screamed
for help.

She has quit the school due to her traumatic experience.

The PBB councillor's lawyer has reportedly offered her Rp 15
million in exchange for her agreement to an out-of-court
settlement, the PBB branch office leaders said in their
statement. The girl has reported the case to the North Sumatra
Police.

In his response, Kaban said the party central board of
executives would summon IBJ to Jakarta to hear his explanation,
which has drawn widespread coverage in Medan. -- Antara