Markus Junianto Sihaloho, Jakarta – A senior Golkar official expressed regret on Friday over a local legislator from the party who mooned female reporters last week in Riau province, promising a harsh warning would be issued.

Golkar chairman for political affairs Priyo Budi Santoso, who is also deputy speaker of the House of Representative, said on Friday that his party was ashamed of what the local legislator, Yose Saputra, had done.

"Regardless of whether or not he has a beautifully shaped rear, what he did was outrageous," Priyo said. "Our party will immediately process the report on his action and will give him a warning."

Priyo also called for the ethics body of Riau's legislative council to immediately investigate the incident and punish Yose for inappropriate action. "[Yose] should exhibit respectful behavior because his position as legislator is a respectable position," Priyo said.

On Thursday, a group of journalists held a demonstration in front of the Riau legislative council building in Pekanbaru, accusing Yose of sexual harassment.

The demonstrators said Yose's exposing of his rear to reporters Nur Azizah and Zulfikri merited Golkar's legislative faction dismissing him from the local legislature.

Dian Sukheri, the deputy speaker of Riau legislative council, promised to push for an immediate investigation into the case. "With this complaint, we have a reason to probe the matter," Dian said.

The incident took place last week at the Riau legislative office complexes, Zulfikri said.

"Yose called to us and he said, 'Both of you are reporters, right?' Then he took off his pants and showed us his behind. He said, 'This is my behind, take a picture of it and put it in your newspaper,' " Zulfikri said.

Nur said she and Zulfikri left the room immediately. "We have been waiting for Yose to apologize for his actions but there is no apology forthcoming. That's why we have lodged a report with the police," she said.

In June, Yose also got bad press for pouring a glass of water onto the head of Kamaruzzaman, the secretary for the council's Commission I, during a plenary hearing.

He also yelled at and attempted to throw a chair at Kamaruzzaman. The plenary hearing was suspended for 20 minutes. Kamaruzzaman reported the incident to Pekanbaru Police, but the investigation has not begun because police are awaiting an approval letter from Riau Governor Rusli Zainal.