D

ozens of activists from the Yogyakarta Anticorruption Network (JAK) staged a rally in front of the Prosperous Justice Party's (PKS) provincial office on Thursday, demanding consistency in the party's fight against corruption.

'As a party with the motto 'love, work and harmony', the PKS should not have destroyed harmony by pitting the KPK [Corruption Eradication Commission] against the police,' one of the protesters, Hasrul Halili of Gadjah Mada University's (UGM) Anticorruption Studies Center (PUKAT), said.

He was referring to the PKS' move in reporting KPK spokesman Johan Budi to the police for defamation in relation to the KPK's investigation of alleged corruption in the beef import case involving the PKS leadership.

They expressed their concern that the PKS had made a move that could disrupt the legal process surrounding the corruption case.

During a dialogue with local PKS functionaries, the head of Yogyakarta's Legal Aid Institute (LBH), Samsudin Nurseha, said the PKS was an instrument for channeling people's aspirations. As such, the local PKS branch should not support the move by the party's central executive.

PKS Yogyakarta treasurer, Hudairi Yudiara, secretary Zuhrif Hudaya and women volunteers coordinator Sumaryati received the protesters. 'We are thankful for being reminded to remain consistent. We don't have any intention to dwarf the KPK,' Hudairi said.