PRD accuses Akbar of defamation

PRD accuses Akbar of defamation

JAKARTA (JP): The Democratic People's Party (PRD) filed a
police complaint on Friday against chairman of the Golkar Party,
Akbar Tandjung, and its deputy chairman, Mahadi Sinambela, for
accusing PRD of being behind the vandalism of Golkar offices in
East Java.

PRD chief Budiman Sudjatmiko, accompanied by lawyers Summa
Miharja, Paulus Mahulete and Noni Tri Purwaningsih, challenged
the Golkar Party to come up with material evidence to support
their charges against PRD.

"Golkar has accused PRD of burning their offices in East Java,
but they have no material evidence. If they have any, show it to
us. Do not just accuse us without proof," Budiman told reporters
at the National Police Headquarters.

"PRD has never instructed anyone, or been a part of the
burning and destruction of Golkar offices anywhere."

Budiman also challenged Akbar and Mahadi to hold an open
public debate with him on the matter of the accusations.

"I am sure that they will not be able to do it, since they
have nobody intelligent enough in their party to hold a debate in
which proof is needed to support whatever statement you make,"
Budiman said.

Akbar had accused PRD, City Forum (Forkot), Student Action
Forum for Reform and Democracy (Famred) and the City Network
(Jarkot) of being the orchestrators of the vandalism on Thursday.

Golkar officially filed a report with the National Police over
the vandalization and torching of the party's offices in East
Java, saying that it had caused the party losses of more than Rp
20 billion (US$2 million).

The party also filed a complaint with the police alleging
libel against Hasyim Muzadi, the chairman of the country's
largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, who reportedly said
that Golkar was behind the student rally which demand Gus Dur's
resignation.

City Forum (Forkot) on Friday demanded Akbar to apologize to
the student groups for his statement about their role in the
vandalism in East Java.

Forkot spokesman Muri Sabu said that Akbar should make the
apology in the next 48 hours.

"Otherwise, we will find justice in our own way," Muri said at
the office of the Indonesian Legal Aid Association (PBHI), as
quoted by Antara.

Separately, National Police Spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf
said on Friday that the memorandum by the House of
Representatives to censure President Abdurrahman Wahid is lacking
in legal facts,

"The testimonies handed over by the House's special committee
is just preliminary information that needs to be clarified
further. It is not sufficient as legally acceptable evidence,"
Saleh said.

Police, in cooperation with the Attorney General's Office, are
still studying the memorandum, he said.

He said the police would also consult with several legal
experts to study the results of the House's special committee
which is investigating two scandals linked to President.

"We will soon decide our stance on the matter," Saleh said.

Separately the Bishops's Council of Indonesia (KWI) in a
statement on Thursday called all sides, both that the support and
reject the House's special committee report to remain calm and
maintain a democratic conduct towards the whole affair.

They also urged the political elites to be mindful of their
conduct as it could permeate and aggravate the situation in the
grassroots level. (ylt/jun)