Jakarta – Commission for Missing Persons and Victims of Violence (Kontras) Coordinator Fatia Maulidiyanti claims that they along with their lawyers and human rights activist Haris Azhar have sufficiently strong evidence to face Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan in court.
The dispute between Pandjaitan and the two human rights activists is ongoing. Panjaitan reported Maulidiyanti and Azhar to the Metro Jaya regional police for alleged defamation.
"[I'm sure that in court, we'll], in fact be strong. Yes, there are new findings, evidence", Maulidiyanti told journalists in Central Jakarta on Saturday January 22.
Maulidiyanti explained that cases such as this like publishing research in the public interest should not be able to be subject to criminal indictment.
Initially she hoped that Pandjaitan's side would be able to defend themselves by presenting comparative data, but to this day this has not happened. So if Pandjaitan's choice is the courts, Maulidiyanti is ready to undergo the entire process.
As has been reported, Pandjaitan's report followed a video which was uploaded on Azhar's YouTube account titled, "There is Lord Luhut behind the Economic Relations-Military Operations in Intan Jaya!! There are also State Intelligence Agency Generals!!", which contained a discussion between Azhar and Maulidiyanti.
Azhar and Maulidiyanti were reported by Pandjaitan for stating that the company PT Tobacom Del Mandiri, a subsidiary of the Toba Sejahtera Group, is involved in the mining business in Intan Jaya, Papua. Pandjaitan is known to be one of the Toba Sejahtera Group's shareholders.
"Because in fact the court room is perhaps now the only way for us to prove to the public in the most transparent possible manner the facts and situation which exists", she said.
Maulidiyanti claims that they will not apologies to Pandjaitan because what they conveyed was based on data. She is also asking the police to remain transparent and fair during the investigation process.
Maulidiyanti also confirmed that they have never failed to appear at a police summons for questioning for fear that it would prove their research [wrong].
Based on the law however, a witness in a case has the right to request a postponement and when they have done this they have provided an official written request.
"So we are actually still open to having a discussion which is based on data, if for example they do not indeed wish to continue with criminal proceedings. But if Pak [Mr] Luhut's party is determined [to pursue it legally], yes then we will accept it as so, but on the condition that the process is fair", she said. (khr/ain)
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was "Fatia KontraS Siap Hadapi Luhut hingga Pengadilan".]
