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PDI-P, NasDem dismiss political motives behind assault case
Sincere: Dita Aditia Ismawati, a staff member for Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Masinton Pasaribu, greets journalists after reporting the lawmaker to the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) on Monday
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Sincere: Dita Aditia Ismawati, a staff member for Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Masinton Pasaribu, greets journalists after reporting the lawmaker to the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) on Monday.(JP/DON) (PDI-P) politician Masinton Pasaribu, greets journalists after reporting the lawmaker to the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) on Monday.(JP/DON)
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span class="inline inline-center">Sincere: Dita Aditia Ismawati, a staff member for Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) politician Masinton Pasaribu, greets journalists after reporting the lawmaker to the National Commission on Violence Against Women (Komnas Perempuan) on Monday.(JP/DON)
The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the NasDem Party dismissed on Monday speculation that a recent assault on a lawmaker's staff member was related to an ongoing spat between elites of the two parties.
The PDI-P claimed that the assault on Dita Aditia Ismawati, a staff member of outspoken PDI-P politician Masinton Pasaribu, was not related to any political dispute with NasDem, its close ally in the House of Representatives.
The ruling party is choosing to settle the problem through its internal mechanisms.
'[Masinton] has clarified the allegation and we trust him so far because Dita has no evidence,' said the PDI-P's House deputy chairman Arif Wibowo.
He also suggested that Masinton be careful in his attitude and aggressive statements because these things colored his image at the House.
The PDI-P politician, who often makes headlines for teasing and criticizing high-level state officials and government policies, was reported by Dita to the National Police Criminal Investigation Corps (Bareskrim) for physical assault on Jan. 21.
Dita, a member of the NasDem Party, told a press conference on Monday that Masinton punched her right eye twice and left her with a severe bruise.
One of Dita's lawyers, Nursyahbani Katjasungkana from Women's Legal Aid (LBH APIK), said that the incident happened after Masinton picked up Dita from a cafe in Cikini, Central Jakarta. The two of them quarreled in Masinton's car, and the quarrel led to the alleged assault.
The lawyer said that Masinton had become angry with her after discovering that Dita had met with her fellow NasDem cadres.
'Masinton asked whether Dita told her friends about 'his secret', to which Dita answered that she said nothing. However, he didn't believe her and then punched her,' Nursyahbani said, adding that she still had no idea what the 'secret' referred to.
The incident happened just one day after Masinton told Attorney General Muhammad Prasetyo in a hearing with House Commission III overseeing legal, human rights and security affairs that there was a state of warfare between NasDem Party chairman Surya Paloh and Perindo Party chairman Hary Tanoesoedibjo, both media moguls, in a corruption case involving Hary's telecommunication firm PT Mobile-8 Telecom.
NasDem was annoyed with Masinton's statement and demanded that he apologize.
Masinton has maintained his innocence in the case, saying that Dita was accidentally hit by a driver who was also present with them in the car.
NasDem politician Taufik Basari said his party had yet to reach any conclusions about political problems behind the assault, saying that the party would leave it be as a criminal matter.
'It's purely a criminal matter and we have to provide assistance and consultation to Dita,' Taufik said.
Commenting on the possible political motive, Arif said only that Masinton should learn not to pick up staff members from other political parties.
The House's Ethics Council (MKD) has yet to decide whether or not to proceed with the case.
MKD chairman Surahman Hidayat said that the council was monitoring the legal process and would maintain a presumption of innocence toward Masinton.
'It's too early to grill him on the allegation of an ethics violation. Moreover, we have yet to officially receive any report or complaint,' Surahman told reporters at the legislative complex in Senayan, South Jakarta.
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