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