Jakarta Globe & Antara, Jakarta – The Democratic Party has denied buying up the first print run of the latest issue of gossip tabloid C&R, which carries a cover story on rape allegations involving a member of the ruling party.

Ilham Bintang, editor in chief of the tabloid, formerly known as Cek & Ricek, claimed that mystery buyers had on Tuesday purchased all 100,000 copies of the tabloid, which sells for Rp 6,000 a copy. Despite the claim, however, copies of C&R were seen at some newsstands in Jakarta.

Ilham said he had ordered another 100,000 copies reprinted on Wednesday "because the public's right to information must not be beaten by any form of monetary strength."

The allegations printed in the tabloid are not new. The House of Representatives' Ethics Council previously indicated it would look into allegations that M Nazaruddin, a member of the Democratic Party, raped a sales promotion girl in a Bandung hotel during the party's national caucus in May.

The tabloid, however, quoted a source as saying that Bandung Police had obtained evidence that included a medical examination of the alleged victim and closed-circuit television footage from the hotel in question.

Despite the alleged incident, neither the police, the House nor the Democratic Party have taken formal action in relation to the claims.

Saan Mustopha, deputy secretary general of the Democratic Party, told the Jakarta Globe that the party respected the freedom of the press. "It's not true that we bought up the copies," he said.

Ahmad Mubarok, a senior member of the party's consultative body, also denied that the Democrats had bought up the copies. He added that the party never considered suing the tabloid over the allegations.

Marzuki Alie, a senior Democrat and House speaker, accused the media of "working even faster than law enforcement officials.

"If the media has evidence, then they should take it to the police," he said. "The party won't protect anyone. But the media should have the evidence."

He added that the publisher of C&R should have considered the impact such a story would have not only on the legislator in question, but also on his family. "We could cry all day when we're being victimized," Marzuki said.

Party spokesman Ruhut Sitompul was quoted by the tabloid as saying the Democrats would not defend Nazaruddin if the evidence suggested he was guilty of the offense.

Press Council member Wina Armada alleged that the mysterious disappearance of the tabloid was related to the cover story, and added that the article did not breach journalism standards.

House Deputy Speaker Priyo Budi Santoso, from the Golkar Party, said he hoped the case would not receive undue media attention. "But I think my hopes are useless," he said.

Priyo said the House Ethics Council should be allowed to conduct an investigation, adding that he hoped people considered the case a private matter and not a legal one. "People should not stereotype legislators," he added.