Jakarta – The Jakarta Metro Jaya regional police have named Greater Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) chairperson and presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto as one of those reported in a case of makar (treason, subversion, sedition, rebellion) in the makar case against Eggi Sudjana. The news has been confirmed directly by Gerindra Deputy Chairperson Sufmi Dasco Ahmad.
“We’ve already received [a copy of the document], it was sent at 1.30 am local time. We will study the copy more closely to then decide what steps will be taken over the SPDP that we received”, said Ahmad by phone on Tuesday May 21.
In a copy of the Commencement of Criminal Investigation Notification (SPDP), the allegation of makar against Prabowo as the person reported was made on April 19 – two days after the April 17 presidential and legislative elections. The Jakarta Metro Jaya police investigators issued the SPDP on May 17.
According to the copy of the SPDP, the accusations relate to Article 107 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) and or Article 110 in conjunction with Article 87 and or Article 14 Paragraph (1) and Paragraph (2) and or Article 15 of Law Number 1/1946 on publishing false material that could lead to public unrest.
The investigators state that Prabowo along with Eggi Sudjana are alleged to have committed a crime against state security/makar and or broadcasting a story or issuing a notification which could create unrest in society and or spreading news which is inaccurate or news which is excessive or incomplete.
As of posting this report, CNN Indonesia is still attempting to confirm this information with the Metro Jaya police.
Ahmad denies that the issuance of the SPDP represents the start of a criminal investigation of Prabowo for makar.
Ahmad stated that the truth is that that the SPDP is in the name of Eggi Sudjana. According to Ahmad, while Prabowo is indeed one of those reported in the Sudjana case his status is not as a suspect.
“Pak [Mr] Prabowo is indeed included as one of those reported by the person who made the report, but his status is not as a suspect or even as a witness”, he said. (ayp/ayp)
Notes
According to a Detik.com report later in the day, the Metro Police have now withdrawn the SPDP with Metro Jaya public relations head Senior Commissioer Argo Yuwono saying that “Pak Prabowo is a national figure who must be respected”, adding that now is not the appropriate time to issue a SPDP.\
On May 16, the day before the SPDP was issued, Prabowo along with 11 others flew to the Brunei capital of Bandar Seri Begawan in his private jet, returning to Jakarta eight hours later. After a photograph showing Prabowo arriving at the Bandar Seri Begawan International Airport went viral, the Prabowo camp initially denied that he had left the country insisting he was still in Jakarta. But after the flight was confirmed by immigration officials, they then grudgingly admitted that Prabowo’s visit was just for a “goodwill meeting” with the Sultan of Brunei and denied that Prabowo had attempted to flee the country.
[Translated by James Balowski. The original title of the article was “Prabowo Diduga Terlibat Makar Bersama Eggi Sudjana”.]
