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Bekasi Council may sue Ahok for defamation
Jakarta Governor Basuki âAhokâ Tjahaja Purnama
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Jakarta Governor Basuki 'Ahok' Tjahaja Purnama. (kompas.com/Sri Lestari)
Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama says that he does not consider his actions toward the Bekasi Legislative Council (DPRD) to constitute defamation, following news that the latter plans to launch legal action against him.
'I think everyone have the right to file a report [to the police]; that's not an issue. I don't feel that I've defamed [anyone]. Well, just report me to the police and let it proceed to court. That's everybody's right,' said Ahok at City Hall on Monday as reported by tribunnews.com.
'The DPRD doesn't even have the right to summon the governor of West Java, [so] how can they summon me? [They] are very arrogant. Which part [of my actions] has defamed [them]? As mere members of the DPRD Bekasi, they are too self-centered. So, if they consider my actions defamation, then just sue [me],' said Ahok.
Separately, DPRD Bekasi Commission A chairman Ariyanto Hendrata said that all the commission's members had recommended the council heads take legal action against Ahok in order to maintain their reputation and dignity as the people's representatives.
Previously, the commission reportedly planned to sue Ahok over his response to news that he had been summoned by the DPRD Bekasi. According to Ariyanto on Sunday, Ahok had called members of the DPRD Bekasi arrogant and childish, had threatened to send military personnel to escort Jakarta's garbage to Bekasi and threatened to forbid Bekasi citizens from working in Jakarta. Ahok also allegedly accused the Bekasi councilors of accepting bribes from PT Gondang Tua Jaya, the company that treats Jakarta's garbage at Bantar Gebang garbage treatment center in Bekasi.
"All of [those claims] are false," said Ariyanto on Sunday.
He added that Ahok's response regarding the summons was excessive and that the commission only wanted to discuss the violation of the cooperation agreement between PT Gondang Tua Jaya and PT Navigate Organic Energy Indonesia (NOEI), the company that treats the gas produced from the garbage.
Recently, a number of garbage trucks taking garbage from Jakarta were stopped by local authorities for violating working hours and using prohibited roads.
On Wednesday, Ahok decided to end cooperation with PT Gondang Tua Jaya and handed over the management of Bantar Gebang to the Bekasi city administration.
A report issued by the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) said that PT Gondang Tua Jaya had failed to adhere to all clauses stated in an agreement between it and the Jakarta city administration, despite the fact, according to Ahok, that the city administration was paying the company Rp 400 billion (US$29.2 million). (mas/kes)
