Today we reported Ramadhan Pohan for having defamed Aburizal Bakrie in a way as defined in articles 310, 311 and 310 sections 1, 2 of the Criminal Code," Aburizal`s lawyer, Rudy Alfonso, said here Tuesday.
Rudy said the lawyers` team he was heading was certain the report would lead to a case in court.
About the defamation Ramadhan had allegedly committed, Rudy said the Democrat Party legislator last January 6 made a statement in Jawa Pos online suggesting mining company PT Sumber Mineral Nusantara (PT SMN) was "Aburizal Bakrie`s ATM in Bima" meaning the company was a source of financial income to Aburizal,
Rudy said the allegation was void of any truth but had also been picked up by other media so that Aburizal felt it had tarnished his name and was something that needed to be settled.
"Ramadhan Pohan also never made an effort to clarify the report," Rudy said, adding his client had no relationship whatsoever with PT SMN and there was not the slightest proof that he owned any shares in the company.
PT SMN is the mining company against whose operations in Bima district, West Nusatenggara, the local community has been protesting strongly. The people`s opposition to the company`s presence in the region recently culminated in mass demonstrations demanding that the Bima district chief revoke the company`s operational permit.
The district chief initially repeatedly refused to meet the people`s demand until the locals resorted to stronger actions including the occupation of Sape port. The port`s blockade ended after security forces took action leading to a violent clash with the demonstrators in which two people died last December 24.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
