Aiman Witjaksono Claims He Is Still A Journalist When He Says 'Police Are Not Neutral', Polda Metro: Politician Status Since November 4

Aiman Witjaksono's Pretrial Trial At The South Jakarta District Court/PHOTO: Rizky Adytia-VOI

JAKARTA - Polda Metro Jaya rejected the argument of Aiman Witjaksono regarding the status of journalists when conveying the alleged 'non-neutral police' in the 2024 General Election (Pemilu).

Because, based on data from the General Elections Commission (KPU), the National Winning Spokesperson (TPN) Ganjar-Mahfud has the status of a politician on November 4.

"That the respondent rejects the petitioner's argument with the reason, one, that since November 4, 2023, the applicant has been designated as an election participant. Namely, the Indonesian KPU has been appointed as a List of Permanent Candidates or DCT, namely as a candidate for legislative member of the Perindo party," said the Head of Legal Affairs of the Polda Metro Jaya Kombes Leonardo Simamarta in a trial at the South Jakarta District Court, Tuesday, February 20.

Aiman previously conveyed the allegation of the non-neutral police at a press conference held on November 11.

In addition, investigators also referred to the leave approval letter issued by the company where Aiman Witjaksono works. Where, the leave period will be effective at the end of November 2023

"That although the applicant has applied for leave as a journalist to the press company PT Sun Televisi Network on November 1, 2023 and the press company based on a response letter on November 6, 2023 has issued a leave agreement to the applicant," he said.

"Starting to be effective on leave on November 28, 2023 and the applicant will no longer carry out the duties of journalists since November 28, 2023," continued Leonardo.

Moreover, continued Leonardardo, with Aiman already registered as a politician, the status is no longer a journalist.

This is in accordance with the circular letter of the Press Council number 01 / SEDP / XII / 2022 concerning journalists who are involved in practical politics must permanently resign or temporarily.

"The applicant becomes a resource person or spokesperson at a press conference for TPN Ganjar-Mahfud, at that time his capacity and rights as a politician. Journalists do not conduct press conferences, journalists cover the course of press conferences," said Leonardo.

Aiman Witjaksono filed a pretrial lawsuit for the confiscation of cellphones (HP) or cell phones related to the alleged hoax case in the statement of non-neutral police officers in the 2024 election.

The lawsuit was registered at the South Jakarta District Court (PN) on Tuesday (6/2/2024) with number 25/Pid.Pra/2024/PN JKT.SEL.