Dian Rahma Fika, Jakarta – Chairperson of the Central Executive Board of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), Puan Maharani, asked Minister of Cooperatives Budi Arie to clarify allegations of the involvement of the party with a bull logo in a case of online gambling at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics.
"To avoid slander, from the Minister, please clarify this matter," said Puan when met at the Parliament Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
Puan stated that Budi is responsible for providing an explanation because he has mentioned the name of PDIP. Moreover, according to Puan, it is reasonable for PDIP to feel offended if the accusations are made without evidence. "Don't just talk carelessly, please clarify," she said.
Puan did not respond to how the Chairperson of PDIP Megawati Soekarnoputri reacted to Budi Arie's accusation. She again urged the former Minister of Communication and Informatics to clarify the statement that mentioned that PDIP benefited from the online gambling case.
Puan admitted to having met with Budi Arie. "Ask Budi Arie, I have met with him," said Puan, unwilling to disclose the content of the meeting.
The Chairman of the Indonesian House of Representatives did not respond when asked if the accusations by Budi Arie were considered as a form of scapegoating PDIP. Nevertheless, she considered it reasonable if there are PDIP members who report Budi Arie for feeling aggrieved. "Feel free to avoid slander and unwanted things," said Puan.
Previously, a recording resembling Budi Arie's voice mentioning the involvement of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle in the online gambling case at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics was spread on social media. Meanwhile, in several reports, Budi Arie requested the public not to immediately believe the recording. He asked the public not to blindly accept information circulating on social media.
Today, several Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle cadres visited the Criminal Investigation Agency of the Indonesian National Police to report Budi Arie. Budi was reported for alleged slander against the party with the bull logo.
"Today we will file a report with the Criminal Investigation Agency regarding the statements or slander made by Budi Arie," said Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle cadre Wiradarma Harefa at the Criminal Investigation Agency building, Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
Wiradarma stated that Budi Arie had committed slander by mentioning that their party was involved in overseeing online gambling sites at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics. He plans to report Budi Arie under Article 310 of the Criminal Code on Defamation, Article 311 on Slander, and Article 27a of the Information and Electronic Transactions Law. "We have evidence of video and audio recordings," said Wiradarma.
– Hammam Izzuddin contributed to the writing of this article.