Member Of The House Of Representatives F-NasDem Sugeng Suparwoto Claims To Be Joking Asking For Photos When AAFS Claims To Be Bathing

JAKARTA - Chairman of Commission VII DPRRI Sugeng Suparwoto said complaints related to alleged verbal acts of sexual harassment reported by a former member of the DPR with the initials AAFS stemmed from conversations via text message in March 2022.

"In 2022, approximately in March, while reporting or complaints (to the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Police) were said to have been on April 10, 2023) ago. This means that there is more than 1 year, this is what happened," said Sugeng as quoted by ANTARA, Monday, June 12.

Sugeng said that at first he and AAFS, who were his fellow party cadres, had a telephone conversation, then continued with a short message conversation via the WhatsApp application.

"Before I got home, the discussions were by telephone. As soon as I got home, the cellphone connection was not good, so I WA (WhatsApp), WA, then he wanted to meet me. I said I was at home. If you want to meet, yes, go ahead at home," he said.

He said that his statement was then responded to by AAFS by reporting the situation.

"He stated he was also at home. I asked him, 'What are you doing?' Answered again in the shower. That's what he said," he said.

Responding to the AAFS news, Sugeng also admitted that he responded back to AAFS by sending a message asking for a photo. Sugeng claimed his statement jokingly.

"However, in the joking atmospheres, 'I said photos'. That's where it comes from," he explained.

Besides coming from the same electoral district (dapil), Sugeng said his relationship with AAFS was fairly close, he even considered it like a younger brother.

"In fact, we support each other. Remember, yes, support each other with various activities," he said.

Sugeng also admitted that he was surprised by the public complaints (dumas) to the Criminal Investigation Unit of the National Police regarding the alleged verbal act of sexual harassment. Meanwhile, he said that he had never been physically in contact with AAFS.

"Once again it is a complaint (community), I say it is verbal sexual harassment. Indeed, I have never physically touched my hair, nails, cheeks, nose, especially body. However, it was framed in a way as if I had sexual intercourse," he said.

According to Sugeng, his short message to AAFS was not a form of sexual harassment as he was accused of.

He also said that he would respect the law.

"I did not abuse as stated, which was alleged. Remember, yes, the name is alleged to have not fulfilled the elements, right, there is another process, whether this is done, and what is certain is that I am not spreading it, these are individual chats alone," he said.