Gerindra Demands Former Energy Minister 'Rehabilitates' Setya Novanto's Name
Jakarta. The Great Indonesia Movement Party, or Gerindra, has called on former energy and mineral resources minister Sudirman Said to rehabilitate the good name of former House of Representatives speaker Setya Novanto.
It was Sudirman who reported Novanto to the House Ethics Council (MKD) over an alleged attempt to shake down mining giant Freeport Indonesia for $4 billion.
"If the ethics council proved that the submitted audio tape is not real, Sudirman Said is guilty. He is the culprit," Gerindra politician Muhammad Syafi'i said in Jakarta on Thursday (15/09).
He explained that that MKD is not in a position to rehabilitate Novanto's name, as until today they have yet to receive the original recording on which Sudirman based his allegations.
On the other hand, Novanto stepped down as House speaker before the council could make any decision.
"The MKD made a request to the Attorney General's Office for the real tape, but they did not provide it, which was the reason the council did not make a decision. Before that, [Novanto] resigned. So he stepped down not because of the MKD's decision," Syafi'i said.
When asked how the former minister may rehabilitate Novanto's good name, Syafi'i said it should be done directly by Sudirman, whether through an open apology in the media or a personal meeting with Novanto to discuss the matter.
"A rehabilitation is due because of the fake testimony. He should coordinate this with Mr. Novanto; it is up to them," the politician said.
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