TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko was determined to report the Indonesian Corruption Watch (ICW) to the police on charges of defamation. ICW was considered unable to prove the allegations or withdraw the statement regarding alleged rent-seeking in the distribution of Covid-19 therapeutic drug Ivermectin and rice exports involving the Indonesian Farmers Association and PT Noorpay Nusantara Perkasa.

“Rent-seeking is a very serious accusation. For that, I must respond. I have given them opportunities in the form of three subpoenas. And ICW did not show a good intention to clarify properly and apologize. On that basis, I will continue this by reporting them to the police,” said Moeldoko in an online press conference on Tuesday, August 31.

ICW had answered Moeldoko's three subpoena letters. However, Moeldoko's attorney, Otto Hasibuan, assessed that ICW could not yet prove the allegations.

Member of ICW's advocates, Muhammad Isnur, said his client had confirmed several things to the letter of answers. First, ICW found a number of indications of Moeldoko's involvement in the distribution of Ivermectin which potentially caused a conflict of interest.

Second, ICW had clarified that there was misinformation regarding rice exports involving HKTI and PT Noorpay Nusantara Perkasa. “So, it is inappropriate if the misinformation is said to be defamation or slander. Because the mens rea does not lead to actions as alleged by Moeldoko, and it can be proven by the press release that ICW has uploaded on the ICW website,” Isnur explained.

According to Isnur, monitoring the performance of public officials, including Moeldoko, through research is part of public participation which is guaranteed by the constitution, laws, and regulations, as well as many international agreements.

Read: Corruption Eradication Remains as Jokowi's Top Agenda, Moeldoko Says

DEWI NURITA