Jakarta – House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Fadli Zon has brushed off a report against him and colleague Fahri Hamzah to the ethics council over their participation in last week's rally in Jakarta as an attempt to seek sensation.

The report was submitted by the national secretariat of the Pro Justicia Enforcement Committee (KPPJ). Fadli said the presence of people's representatives in any protest is normal because it is part of lawmakers' supervisory function.

"Lawmakers can join a protest, not only here [in Indonesia], but everywhere in the world. It is their constitutional right. [There are] no violations against the Constitution or the code of ethics. What I have done is part of my supervisory function," he said in Jakarta on Friday (11/11).

Fadli was invited by ulemas and religious figures to participate in the protest rally against incumbent Jakarta Governor Basuki "Ahok" Tjahaja Purnama over blasphemy allegations.

"We honored their invitation, as I do not think it was wrong. I think it would be unethical to decline the invitation," the lawmaker said.

He said the report was only an attempt to seek sensation by people who are anxious to get rid of the blasphemy case against Ahok. Fadli also said there was no foundation to an allegation that he provoked protestors to commit treason.

"I memorized a summary, although only a little. During my speech, I quoted Article 27 of the 1945 Constitution, stating that we are all equal in front of the law, so that there should be no protection against Ahok if he violated the law," Fadli said. "I also advised the president to meet with a delegation of the protesters; so there should be no problem."

Source: http://jakartaglobe.id/news/deputy-speaker-fadli-zon-says-report-attempt-seek-sensation/