TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Deputy head of Jakarta regional board of the Indonesia Solidarity Party (PSI), Rian Ernest, coolly responded to the police report against him filed by Jakarta Councilor from Democrat party, Taufiqurrahman.

“I respect his right to report me. We, as a new party, are determined to fight corruption,” said Rian in Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Thursday, July 18.

Taufiqurrahman has officially reported Rian today for alleged defamation or spreading hoax news for the latter's statement of money politics in the appointment process of Jakarta deputy governor.

Rian underlined that he had never mentioned Taufiqurrahman when exposing the alleged practice of money politics happening during the process. He also claimed to have not known the Democrat politician.

“I’ve never mentioned a faction, I’ve never said the commission or even the special committee. But this is a legal state. Those who feel harmed are allowed [to make a report], for example. I will face it legally.”

According to Rian, he heard the money politics issue from one of the political elites, and the politician is not required to have authentic evidence to deliver a statement. He hoped the information would encourage the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) to start an investigation.

“We are not KPK that has human resources to tap, so we publish the issue to the public and we support KPK officials to make a move. That’s our intention,” he concluded.

FRISKI RIANA