PDI-P Considers Legal Action Against Baharuzaman for Defamation
January 26, 2017 | 4:22 pm
Jakarta. The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, or PDI-P, is considering whether to take legal action against a representative of a Jakarta-based nongovernmental organization who accused party chairwoman Megawati Sukarnoputri of blasphemy.
Baharuzaman of the Anti-Blasphemy Alliance claimed that Megawati committed blasphemy in a speech she made during the PDI-P's 44th anniversary earlier this month.
"We are well prepared to face the report. Our legal team has been studying the matter, and it does not prevent us from filing a report and taking other measures, in accordance with the law," PDI-P politician Arteria Dahlan said in Jakarta on Wednesday (25/01).
Arteria said he believes Megawati's speech was aimed at reminding all Indonesians about the importance of maintaining national unity.
"The speech expressed a strong commitment to encourage us to preserve Pancasila, the 1945 Constitution and diversity," Arteria said. He insisted that Megawati's speech did not include any insults, nor was it blasphemous.
Home Affairs Minister Tjahjo Kumolo has meanwhile also come out in defense of Megawati by saying that her speech should not be dissected, but considered as a whole.
"[Allegations] cannot be made based on only one part [of the speech]. By filing a report against Megawati in the context of her entire speech, has [Baharuzaman] even properly understood the overall message?" Tjahjo said.
The minister added that there was nothing wrong with Megawati's speech and that the PDI-P may decide to sue Baharuzaman for defamation.
"If they file a lawsuit, it is possible to sue the claimant for alleged defamation," Tjahjo said.
Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) leader Rizieq Shihab earlier made similar allegations against Megawati for saying that "leaders with closed ideologies have positioned themselves as oracles; the carriers of a self-fulfilling prophecy. They claim to be able to foresee what will happen in the future and also in the afterlife."
Rizieq maintains that Megawati's mention of the word "oracles" constitutes blasphemy.
Tags: Keywords: