The House of Representatives ethics council has said it will work with the National Police Criminal Investigation Department (Bareskrim) in processing a case of assault allegedly perpetrated by House lawmaker Masinto Pasaribu against one of his staff members, Dita Aditia Ismawati.

"We will coordinate with the police, exploring what evidence they have found so far in the case," ethics council deputy chairman Sufmi Dasco Ahmad said on Wednesday. Dita reported Masinton to the police for allegedly punching her in the eye on Jan. 30. She underwent questioning on the case at Bareskrim on Feb. 4.

Dita also reported her case to the Legal Aid Foundation of Indonesian Women's Association for Justice (LBH APIK) and the National Commission on Violence against Women (Komnas Perempuan) to seek their support. On Feb. 3, LBH APIK reported the case to the House ethics council and requested it investigate, saying it was important as it allegedly involved a House lawmaker.

Dasco said the report from the LBH APIK was among cases the ethics council would discuss in its weekly meeting on Thursday.

As earlier reported, Dita claimed that Masinton, a lawmaker from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), hit her twice when she was traveling in the politician's car after leaving a café in Central Jakarta on Jan. 21.

Masinton, a member of House Commission III overseeing law and human rights, repeatedly denied the allegations, saying the bruises on Dita's face resulted from unintentional contact with the driver of the vehicle. Dita claimed she and Masinton were the only people in the car when the incident occurred. (ebf)(+)

Popular

Is Indonesia really ready to embrace dual citizenship?

Tens of thousands seek better lives in Jakarta. But is the city losing its draw?

Elon Musk's Starlink granted licences to operate in Indonesia