Police halt PDI-P inquiry

JAKARTA: The National Police have halted an investigation into a defamation complaint filed by members of a reform faction in the Indonesia Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), citing a lack of evidence.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Aryanto Boedihardjo said on Tuesday investigators found no evidence to support criminal charges against the party's leader, former president Megawati Soekarnoputri, or its secretary-general, Pramono Anung Wibowo.

"We have spoken with experts on the Criminal Law Procedure Code and in constitutional law to get a clearer view of the case, and they saw no defamation," Aryanto said.

The police suggested the members of the reform faction file a civil case if they wanted to pursue their complaint.

A group of PDI-P members accused Megawati and Pramono of defamation after they were dismissed for challenging the outcome of the party's congress in April, which saw Megawati reelected as chairwoman. -- JP