Luhut Calls Not Having Material Losses In The Defamation Case

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan is a witness in the defamation case with the defendants Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti, Thursday, June 8, 2023. (screenshots)

Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment (Menko Marves) Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan admitted that he did not experience material losses in the alleged defamation case with the defendants Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti.

"Yes, frankly, I can say that material losses may not need to be calculated, but morally my children and grandchildren, I am said to be criminals, I am said to be ventured, I say let alone try. If I accuse you of being a criminal or a thief. You can't accept that either," said Luhut at the East Jakarta District Court (Jaktim), Thursday 8 June.

As a parent and former TNI officer, Luhut did not accept Haris-Fatia's actions.

"So Your Majesty, in my opinion, as an old man, and as a former soldier, my soldiers in Kopassus for a long time have not accepted this treatment," said Luhut before the East Jakarta District Court Judges led by Cokorda Gede Arthana.

Not only that, Luhut was also very irritated because he was accused of having a business in Papua, even though he did not have a business as alleged by Haris and Fatia.

"I have a lot of people who died in the operating area and I say criminals are very painful for me," said Luhut, quoted by Antara.

Even though he felt hurt, Luhut admitted that he was willing to be mediated with Haris Azhar and Fatia.

"Yes, there is also an effort (to be peaceful) I ask myself, frankly to the Kapolda, 'Please, if possible, the Regional Police Chief, just mediate'," he said.

Luhut also admitted that he had given Haris and Fatia the opportunity twice to apologize. However, neither has been done.

Director of Lokataru Haris Azhar and KontraS Coordinator Fatia Maulidiyanti were charged with defaming Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan's good name by the prosecutor.

The indictment was read out by the prosecutor during a trial held at the East Jakarta District Court, Monday, April 3.

The prosecutor stated Haris and Fatia's statement in a video uploaded through Haris' YouTube account that defamed Luhut.

The video is titled 'There is no Luhut behind Intan Jaya's economic-ops military relations!! There is also General BIN! What is discussed in the video is a quick study of the Coalition to Clean Indonesia with the title 'Military Placement Economics' in Papua: Intan Jaya Case'.

Haris and Fatia were charged with Article 27 paragraph 3 in conjunction with Article 45 paragraph 3 of the ITE Law, Article 14 paragraph 2 of Law Number 1 of 1946, Article 15 of Law Number 1 of 1946, and Article 310 of the Criminal Code concerning Insults.

Haris Azhar and Fatia's trial was closely guarded by the police from the East Jakarta Police.

Supporters of Haris Azhar and Fatia who took action to support in front of the East Jakarta District Court are not allowed to enter the court area.

Likewise, a number of journalists who were late in coming to the East Jakarta District Court were also not allowed to enter to cover the trial with the examination of witness Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.