Denies Doing Money Politics, Ria Ria's Ria DPD Candidate Is Ready To Clarify To Bawaslu

The legislative candidate (caleg) of the DPD RI, who is also a member of the DPD RI, Ria Saptakara (ANTARA/Jessica)

KEPRI - Prospective legislative DPD Ria Saptakara denied having committed money politics or money politics while doing activities in Behindpadang District, Batam City, Riau Islands (Kepri), recently.

Ria, who is also an active DPD member, said that her activities were one of the agendas as a senator in gathering the aspirations of residents.

"Then for the distribution of money, there are rules and it must be distributed to the public, so it is the official DPD RI event in Riau Islands, not money politics as a candidate for DPD," said Ria in Batam, Riau Islands, Wednesday, January 24, quoted by Antara.

In addition, he also responded to the existence of campaign props (APK) in the form of banners of himself returning to the DPD of the Riau Islands Provincial electoral district in the 2024 Election contestation and the presence of his son at that location.

"So, we did hold an event at that location and the location belonged to the parents of my staff. The APK had been installed there for a long time before my activities were carried out. So, it's not only been a month or two that it's been installed, but it's been a long time. Regarding my son at that location, not as a candidate for the Batam City DPRD, but as the chairman of the event committee, and accompanying the activity," he said.

With the circulation of photos and videos of the alleged money politics, he admitted that he was ready if the Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) called him to be asked for clarification on this allegation.

"I am ready to attend to provide clarification to Bawaslu if summoned," said Ria.

Previously, the Batam City Bawaslu, Riau Islands stated that they were ready to investigate the alleged violation of money politics committed by the Indonesian Regional Representative Council (DPD RI) candidates in Behindpadang District.

Batam City Bawaslu chairman Antonius Itoloha Gaho said the report on the results of the supervision is currently in the process of being made by the panwascam.

"We got information from panwascam friends and media friends, but at this time we are still waiting for the report on the results of the supervision from the Behindpadang panwascam," said Antonius.

He said that his party could find out about the activities that took place there, after receiving the report on the results of the supervision.