NasDem Party Legislator Suggests Luhut Withdraw Reports To Haris Azhar And Fathia

Haris Azhar / DOK VOI-Rizky Adytia

JAKARTA - Member of Commission III of the House of Representatives (DPR) from the NasDem Party faction, Taufik Basari, advised Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Panjaitan to withdraw the report against activists Haris Azhar and Fathia Lubis Maulidiyati who are suspected of being involved in defamation cases.

At least, said Taufik, this case can be resolved peacefully through a restorative justice mechanism. Because the alleged defamation case involves people who are in the circle of power.

"Although the pretext is that this is a personal matter, it is difficult to avoid the public perception that this case is a case of the rulers versus the people who are fighting for the people's right to information," Taufik told reporters, Monday, March 21.

According to him, Coordinating Minister Luhut would be wiser to use other media to defend himself or provide an explanation. As the aggrieved party, said Taufik, you can exercise your right to clarify, either through a statement of objection or even if necessary through similar research.

In addition, continued the man who is familiarly called Tobas, Fathia-Haris can open space through the same channel for the objection.

“Cases like this should not be resolved by criminal proceedings. There are still other paths that can be taken to solve it," explained the NasDem legislator.

Tobas proposes two ways to solve this problem. First, the revocation of the report by the complainant. Second, the police encourage the settlement of peace through restorative justice.

He hopes that the police will consider and review the proposal, in order to maintain democracy and public confidence in the rule of fair law.

"Then it is followed up by providing commensurate and proportional space for the reporter to explain his version of the statement as the right to object," said Tobas.

It is known that the Director of Lokataru, Haris Azhar, responded to the examination of him and Fatia Maulidiyanti in the alleged defamation case reported by the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.

The Haris Azhar cs camp through their legal representative, Nurkholis Hidayat, plans to report back Luhut to the police.

"So we will report back. (Luhut). Even though legally this is not a complaint offense," Nurkholis told reporters while accompanying Haris at the Metro Jaya Police, Monday, March 21.