Bulungan DPRD Clarifies Alleged Involvement Of 2 Members Involved In Beatings In Tanjung Selor

PHOTO: Victor Ratu/VOI

TANJUNG SELOR Regional House of Representatives (DPRD) of Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan (Kaltara), provided an official clarification regarding the news which stated that two members of the council were suspected of being involved in the beating incident that occurred in Café Nara Gogi Yuk, Sengkawit Street, Tanjung Selor Hilir Village.

The clarification was conveyed directly by the Chairman of the Bulungan DPRD, Riyanto accompanied by two Deputy Chairmen of the DPRD Dwi Sugianto and Tasa Gung as well as the Chairman of the Honorary Board (BK) of the Bulungan DPRD, Sunaryo at the Bulungan DPRD Building, Thursday, November 13.

Riyanto emphasized that the two DPRD members who were said to have the initials LB from the Democratic Party and AHP from PDIP were not involved in acts of violence as previously reported.

"After we clarified it directly, both of them were at the location by chance. They didn't know anything about the incident. Instead, they tried to intervene so that the situation wouldn't heat up," said Riyanto.

He explained that the presence of the two DPRD members began with casual activities with community groups, not in the context of political meetings or certain interests.

"We regret the news that seems to associate the DPRD institution with acts of violence. We emphasize that this institution is not involved in any form," he said.

Riyanto also explained that his party would continue to monitor the development of this case while keeping the image and honor of the DPRD institution maintained.

"We apologize to the public for the noise that has arisen. We make sure the Bulungan DPRD respects the law and will be open to all forms of clarification," he said.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the BK DPRD Bulungan, Sunaryo, emphasized that his party had conducted an initial investigation of the two members of the council. The results of the clarification show that both of them were not involved in the beating.

"It's true, they were at the scene. But the information we received, both of them actually intervened. One even tried to protect the victim from further beatings," said Sunaryo.

He explained that the Bulungan DPRD respects the legal process currently underway at the North Kalimantan Regional Police, and will cooperate with every stage of the investigation.

We fully support the ongoing legal process. If later found guilty, of course there will be sanctions according to the provisions. But so far, evidence and information suggest they are not involved, "said Sunaryo.

Sunaryo also appealed to the mass media and the public not to draw unilateral conclusions before the results of the official investigation came out.

"We hope that information in the public can be balanced. Do not let the DPRD institution be generalized because of this incident," he said.