Police grill activists over alleged defamation

JAKARTA: The Jakarta Police on Tuesday questioned two activists from the People's Bastion of Democracy (Bendera), Ferdi Semaun and Mustar Bonaventura, in regard to their alleged roles in a defamation case linked to the RP 6.76 trillion (US$716 million) Bank Century bailout.

Investigators questioned the pair but had not detained them, Jakarta Police national security unit chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Daniel Bolly Tifaona said Tuesday.

"Since they are facing less than five years in prison, we will not put them behind bars," Daniel said.

The police have charged the activists with articles 310, 311 (on defamation) and 315 (on offensive behaviour) of the Criminal Code, for having accused several officials of having received portions of the bailout fund.

The police apprehended the activists at a shopping mall in Bandung on Monday, after they ignored two previous summons.

A number of government officials including Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa and Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affairs Minister Djoko Suyanto, politician Rizal Mallarangeng and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's son Edhie Baskoro reported the activists to police over the accusations. - JP