english.jpnn.com, JAKARTA - The legal team of Lokataru Director Haris Azhar and KontraS Coordinator Fatia Maulidiyanti considered that it was inappropriate for the police to place their two clients on trial for exposing a potential scandal.
Haris and Fatia are suspects over alleged defamation against Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
ALSO SEE: Haris Azhar, Fatia Maulidiyanti Named Suspects Over Defamation
Haris and Fatia's attorney, Nurkholis Hidayat, said that his two clients should have been rewarded with Rp 100 million for trying to uncover an alleged crime in Papua.
"Pak Jokowi has a Presidential Regulation. People who reveal a scandal about an economic crime are entitled to a Rp 100 million reward, not imprisonment," said Nurkholis, Monday (21/3) night.
ALSO SEE: Police Examine Haris Azhar, Fatia Maulidiyanti Over YouTube Video
Nurkholis claimed that Haris and Fatia had conducted research regarding the alleged involvement of Luhut when he was still serving as acting Energy and Mineral Resources Minister.
"If a citizen reports an economic scandal, corruption, or gratification, it must be investigated," said Nurkholis.
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Nurkholis challenged the police to use their authority to conduct a reverse investigation into the material reported by Haris instead.
"We will see if the police are balanced, fair, and non-discriminatory," said Nurkholis.
Previously, Luhut reported Haris and Fatia because of a video entitled "There is Lord Luhut Behind the Economic Relations with Intan Jaya's Military Ops" on YouTube.
The video discusses reports from a number of organizations, including KontraS, about military officials or retired military personnel behind the gold mining business that exploits the Intan Jaya area, Papua. (cr3/mcr20/jpnn)
This news has been broadcast on JPNN.com with the title: Dituduh Cemarkan Nama Baik Luhut, Haris Azhar Cs Malah Minta Hadiah Rp 100 Juta