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Viktor Laiskodat need not apologize, be sanctioned: NasDem
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Protesting: Hizbut Tahrir Indonesia members and supporters of Islamic organizations from Greater Jakarta stage a rally to protest a new regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on mass organizations in Jakarta on July 17. (JP/Ibrahim Irsyad)
T
he NasDem Party has insisted it does not need to apologize or impose sanctions on Viktor Bungtilu Laiskodat, one of its politicians who recently made a controversial statement.
The party claimed Viktor did not say anything wrong and instead warned other parties not to be overly emotional or overreact.
“Why should we apologize? There was no intention to defame other parties. As political actors, they should first check the source of the video and watch it in its entirety. They should listen to the full speech. If not, it will be dangerous for the country,” NasDem central executive board chairman Zulfan Lindan said on Monday.
(Read also: PKS joins Gerindra in legal action against Viktor's caliphate remarks)
The case began when video footage of Viktor delivering a political speech in his electoral district in Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, in which he mentioned the establishment of a caliphate, went viral on social media.
Viktor has been accused of stating in his speech that Gerindra, the leading opposition party, supported the establishment of a caliphate because it did not support the issuance of a regulation in lieu of law (Perppu) on mass organizations.
Viktor also apparently implied that the Democratic Party, the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS) and the National Mandate Party (PAN) also supported the establishment of a caliphate, a system that violates the principles of Pancasila.
“Why should we impose a sanction when he didn't do anything wrong? His speech was very good, encouraging us to maintain Pancasila and Unity in Diversity principles,” said Johnny G. Platte, the secretary of the NasDem faction at the House of Representatives. (ebf)
