TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Advokat Cinta Tanah Air (ACTA) lawyer group has once again reported Jakarta Governor Basuki “Ahok” Tjahaja Purnama to police. Having previously reported Ahok for alleged blasphemy, ACTA now claims that Ahok has committed slander against protesters at November 4 rally.

ACTA member Habiburokhman said Thursday at the Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) office that the report was based on Ahok’s statement in his interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation News (ABC News).

Ahok, according to ACTA, has violated Article 28 (2) of Law No. 11/2008 on Information and Electronic Transaction.

“Alleged slander, he [Ahok] claimed that protesters in November 4 [rally] were paid Rp500,000 [each],” Habiburokhman said.

Habiburokhman appeared at the Bareskrim office as an attorney of plaintiff Herdiansyah.

He brought evidence of, among others, a video recording of Ahok statements. “The link to the video of Ahok [interview] is also available at mobile.abc.net.au titled ‘Jakarta Governor Ahok suspect in blasphemy case, Indonesia Police say’,” Habiburokhman said.

The news was published by ABC News on Wednesday, November 16. Habiburokhman said he has cited Ahok’s statement which reads: 'It is not easy, you send more than 100.000 people, most of them if you look at the news, said they got the money 500,000 rupiahs'.

ACTA also brought evidence of a photograph of Herdiansyah and other protesters at the November 4 rally. “He [Herdiansyah] is a regular guy, he works as a lawyer, but he joined the rally as a regular citizen, he objected to Mr. Basuki’s statements,” he said, adding that he wanted the report to be processed immediately.

YOHANES PASKALIS