Offered Restorative Justice, Coordinating Minister Luhut Insists, Asks Haris Azhar Not To Take Refuge Under The Pretext Of Freedom Of Expression

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan. (Photo: Instagram @luhut.pandjaitan)

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Merves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said the alleged defamation case reported could be a lesson for all parties.

It is not permissible to take refuge from mistakes or slander by using the pretext of human rights and freedom of expression.

The statement was made by Luhut after undergoing a clarification process for 1 hour at the Metro Jaya Police. In the clarification process, Luhut admitted that he was offered a solution by means of restorative justice.

"I just remind you once again, we should never take refuge in human rights and freedom of expression which can injure people, that's all," Luhut told reporters on Monday, September 27.

However, Luhut stated that he would follow all legal processes, including the mediation offered by the investigative team. However, he wanted this matter to be completely resolved.

"Yes, we will carry out the law, we will see later if there is, the investigators said there was a circular from the National Police Chief for mediation, so please go ahead," he said.

The desire to solve this problem so that his good name is not tainted with baseless accusations. In fact, Luhut is ready to prove it until the trial process.

"So I also don't want my children and grandchildren to feel that I am their parent, their grandfather committed fraud in Papua which I have never done. Let it be proven in court. Later if I am wrong, I will be punished, but if the person reporting it is wrong, he will be punished. We are the same in the eyes of the law, I think it's important," said Luhut.

Luhut reported Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidianti to the Metro Jaya Police. The report relates to allegations of defamation.

This report relates to Haris Azhar and Fatia's statements on YouTube content. Where, the video content is entitled 'There is Lord Luhut Behind Intan Jaya's Economic Relations-Military Ops, BIN General Also Exists'.

In addition, Luhut's reason for reporting was because there was no good faith from Haris Azhar and Fatia. In fact, they have been summoned twice.

The report has been registered with the number STTLP/B/4702/IX/2021/SPKT/POLDA METRO JAYA, 22 September 2021. In the report, the reported parties are suspected of violating Article 45 in conjunction with Article 27 of the ITE Law.

Not only criminal, but Luhut will also sue Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidianti in a civil manner.