President Yudhoyono Condemns Slanders

Jakarta (Antara) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono condemned slanderers here on Thursday and has called on the community not to give them moral and social sanctions. "Slander will not help make people smarter but instead will only cause damages. In view of that I call on the people to morally and socially condemn those who slander others," he stated in his directives at a meeting of military and police leadership held in connection with the planned general elections this year. President Yudhoyono also called on the press to report accurately and objectively with regard to preventing slanders. He noted that the open meeting, which was covered by the press, was also aimed at preventing suspicions which have often been used to spread rumors, more so now, just ahead of the general elections. "This also reflects the transparency and accountability that I have always stood for as head of the government. We certainly hope for objective and accurate reporting ; we can together prevent slanders," he remarked. President Yudhoyono's statement came in the backdrop of a recent incident in which his deputy minister of justice and human rights Denny Indrayana, has been reported to have met with President Yudhoyono in Cikeas (Yudhoyono's private home), along with Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) deputy Bambang Widjojanto, on Tuesday (Jan. 6) at 2 a.m., just before KPK issued a summons for Anas Urbaningrum, the former chairman of Yudhyono's Democratic Party, for questioning over a corruption case. In connection with the case Denny Indrayana on Thursday registered a complaint against former Democrat Party members Ma'mun Murod, who had made up this false story and Tri Dianto, who had supported Ma'mun Murod, to the police. At the police headquarters Denny claimed that he had given the two Anas loyalists, 24 hours to apologize for spreading false rumor, but they would not do so, and therefore, Denny decided to report them to the police. He explained that the two had spread false rumors, adding that "the meeting never happened." He explained that on Monday morning he had been to the BPJS office and in the afternoon he went to the Directorate General of General Administration, post which he had lunch at the Pasar Festival along with 10 staff members until 2 p.m., and had been asleep at 2 a.m. He pointed out that Ma'mun and Tri Dianto were not able to prove their story true. Ma'mun and Tri Dianto may be charged with violating Article 310 of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of four years in jail for what they had said. Denny stated that he hoped what he did would become a lesson for others. "Indonesia wants to be free of corruption and at the vanguard of the fight right now is KPK. So we must support KPK maximally. KPK must not be disturbed in this manner," he pointed out. (*)