Minister Of Agriculture Sues Tempo For IDR 200 Billion Related To Busuk Rice News

JAKARTA - Minister of Agriculture (Mentan) Andi Amran Sulaiman sued PT. Tempo Inti Media, Tbk amounting to Rp200 billion related to the news with the cover entitled "Busuk Rice Poles" uploaded through social media.

"Therefore, it is natural for the plaintiff to file an immaterial charge of Rp. 200 billion," said Minister of Agriculture Chandra Muliawan in a trial reading a civil lawsuit at the South Jakarta District Court, Monday, September 15, reported by ANTARA.

During the trial, the attorney stated that the Ministry of Agriculture suffered immaterial losses due to the news which was considered to have an impact on the decline in the performance of the ministries and farmers.

The news is also considered to have disrupted the programs and activities that have been launched by the government, and has an impact on the good name of the Ministry of Agriculture in the midst of public trust.

"Or if this number is deemed inappropriate, the judge has the authority to determine how appropriate it is," said Chandra.

Then, other losses, namely material, which means that the plaintiff must seek and collect data related to media coverage and meeting activities related to / as a result of the defendant's actions amounting to Rp19,173,000.

In one of his lawsuits, the Minister of Agriculture, represented by his attorney, stated that the news "Busuk Rice Poles" which was uploaded through social media X and Instagram Tempo.co was consistent because the news content seemed to embarrass the Ministry of Agriculture's kineria.

"Illustration and the title "Busuk Rice Poles" is Tempo news that is very judging and injures the sense of justice, because it is not supported by data, facts, so it is not necessarily the truth," said Chandra.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the Press Legal Aid Institute (LBH) Mustafa Layong who was present as Tempo's attorney stated that the trial was a continuation after both parties failed to reach a mediation agreement.

"Our arrival today was in order to attend the trial for reading the lawsuit, because after we took the mediation process five times, it didn't work," said Mostafa.

The mediation is a Statement, Assessment, and Recommendation (PPR) given by the Press Council. However, both failed to reach a bright spot so Tempo was given five points of recommendation from the Press Council.

Of the five points, three of them have been met by Tempo, namely changing the title on the poster uploaded through Tempo's social media account, expressing apologies, and moderating content.