Surya Paloh Will Consult With KPU Regarding Johnny Plate's Disruption

Chairman (Ketum) of the NasDem Party Surya Paloh and his party ranks at a press conference at NasDem Tower, Central Jakarta, Wednesday (17/5/2023) afternoon. ANTARA/Fath Putra Mulya

Chairman (Ketum) of the NasDem Party, Surya Paloh, said that he would consult with the General Elections Commission (KPU) regarding Johnny Plate's candidacy as a candidate for legislative member (caleg) in the 2024 General Election (Pemilu).

"Regarding this period of dismissal, we will consult with the KPU. If indeed the KPU states that it is okay, we are still based on the presumption of innocence, presumption of innocence. Obviously that," Paloh said at a press conference at NasDem Tower, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, May 17.

In addition, he said NasDem would also provide legal assistance to Johnny Plate as part of the party.

"Legal aid is mandatory. Friends outside the party just ask for help, we give it, especially the party's secretary general. This is our obligation to give it," said Paloh.

As previously reported, the Junior Attorney General for Special Crimes (Jampidsus) of the Indonesian Attorney General's Office, Wednesday, named Johnny G Plate, Minister of Communication and Information (Menkominfo) as a suspect in the alleged corruption case of the BTS BAKTI Kominfo procurement project for the period 2020 to 2022.

Johnny was named the sixth suspect in a corruption case in the provision of 4G Base Transceiver Station (BTS) infrastructure and supporting infrastructure for packages 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 BAKTI of the Ministry of Communication and Information Technology in 2020 until 2022.

On this matter, Surya Paloh as the head of NasDem is committed to respecting the applicable legal process. "This is clear. So we must respect this legal process. We still respect it," he said.

Paloh said this was the commitment of the NasDem Party from the start. He said that his party wanted to be at the forefront of law enforcement.

"What is NasDem's attitude? Obviously it is never different, from the initial commitment of this party being established, we want to remain at the forefront. We want to uphold fair legal principles to continue from time to time," he said.