T

he Jakarta Police lived up to their motto of "protect and serve" Tuesday by swiftly following up on a complaint filed by political heavyweights against minnow activists over alleged defamation.

Only half an hour after Edhie Baskoro "Ibas" Yudhoyono, the youngest son of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, and three Cabinet ministers lodged a complaint against activists from the People's Democracy Fortress (Bendera), the police held a press briefing to say they would immediately follow up.

"Our team of detectives is currently collecting data and evidence to follow up on the complaint," said Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Boy Rafli Amar.

Filing a complaint along with Ibas were Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Radjasa, Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto and State Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Andi Mallarangeng.

When asked about the lightning-quick response to the complaints, Boy said, "It applies to anyone who reports to *the Jakarta Police*."

Hatta based his complaint on the Nov. 30 statement made by Bendera activists saying he had received funds from the troubled Century Bank.

"We're here as law-abiding citizens to file a report against two people," Hatta said, referring to Bendera chairman Mustar Bona Ventura and activist Ferdi Simaun.

"The statement is unsubstantiated, it's pure slander."

Mustar and Ferdi listed Ibas, Hatta, Djoko, Andi and several other officials of having benefited from a total Rp 1.8 trillion as part of plot to cash in on the bailed-out bank.

"Their statement is slanderous," said Andi, Yudhoyono's former spokesman.

Also filing complaints were Andi's brothers, Rizal and Zulkarnain "Choel" Mallarangeng.

Hatta said he had brought along a video and a copy of a press release as evidence to corroborate the defamation charges against the activists.

Ibas, a House of Representatives legislator from the Democratic Party, said he wanted to teach the activists a lesson.

Bendera's Mustar said he was ready to defend his allegations.

"With regard to the complaint, we're ready to take it on," he said as quoted by detik.com.

Mustar added the complaint had attributed the statement to only two people, while the press conference where the statement was made had been attended by activists from Jakarta, Bandung, Bogor and Cianjur.

"The complaint should have pinpointed the network rather than individuals," he said.

"I think those who filed the complaint missed the context of the law."

He added the allegation was based on a thorough investigation by activists in the network.

In their statement Monday, the network alleged several individuals and institutions had cashed in on Century as part of ploy to fund Yudhoyono's presidential campaign.