Reporter charged for defamation

BOGOR (JP): A journalist was indicted at the district court here on Wednesday charged with defaming a property businessman.

Azhar Sani, 51, of the Bukti ("Evidence") tabloid newspaper was accused of defaming Riduwan Ibrahim, director of PT Karya Bunga Pantai Ceria Group (KBPCG) through his report in the paper and verbal statements before a group of people.

Lawyer for the plaintiff Dahono told the Bogor District Court that the defendant had intentionally defamed Riduwan through his report on page eight of the newspaper's Nov. 15, 1998, edition.

In the article, Azhar wrote that the developer had occupied a five-hectare plot of land by using a bogus document.

"The report made by the defendant is untrue. The report was read by many people. The defendant has purposely attacked the honor of Riduwan as director of PT KBPCG," the lawyer said.

Eight days after the publication of the article, the reporter visited the developer's office at Kencana village to meet Riduwan, Dahono said in the indictment.

In this meeting, Azhar presented a document he said was a copy of a false permit used by the businessman.

"'Why Bapak, did you bulldoze land you have not paid for?'" the lawyer quoted Azhar as telling Riduwan at that time.

According to Dahono, the defendant said this in front of several people in the office.

Dahono also said the reporter made the remarks in the manner used by police. He explained that Azhar was sitting on a chair with his left leg crossed over the right one.

"Riduwan feels that his name has been degraded in front of many people by statements that were untrue," Dahono said.

The presiding judge adjourned the trial until Tuesday. (24/bsr)