"The police must arrest the perpetrator. This is dangerous for the nation. Later, people may easily spread slanders (unless the action is not stopped)," Jusuf Kalla said.Gorontalo (ANTARA News) - Vice presidential candidate Jusuf Kalla has urged the police to immediately arrest the publisher of "Obor Rakyat" tabloid that has so far spread slanders about presidential candidate Joko Widodo.
"The police must arrest the perpetrator. This is dangerous for the nation. Later, people may easily spread slanders (unless the action is not stopped)," he remarked during a campaign tour here on Friday.
Jusuf Kalla, a vice president, as the running mate of Joko Widodo or popularly known as Jokowi, said he believed that the police can easily do it (if it wants to) in view of its capability.
"I am sure the police can do it as hundred copies of the tabloid have been distributed, and they have a clear address. It is a simple matter. So, the police must be quick and firm," Kalla emphasized.
"They (the tabloids reports) are big lies and only cowards did that," noted Jusuf Kalla or JK as he is often called.
Jusuf Kalla warned that unless the case was dealt with sternly, it has the potential to hurt the nation and damage democracy because it allowed the principle of "the ends justify the means."
Several Islamic boarding schools in East Java have received copies of "Obor Rakyat" containing stories discrediting presidential candidate Jokowi.
Jokowi pairs with Jusuf Kalla and is currently campaigning for the presidential bid scheduled on July 9.
He is competing against Prabowo Subianto, a former military figure who pairs with Hatta Rajasa, a former economic minister.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2014
