Jakarta – The Gerinda Party remains optimistic that the recent fake news scandal involving opposition activist Ratna Sarumpaet – a former member of presidential challenger Prabowo Subianto's campaign team – will not harm the Prabowo-Sandiaga Uno ticket's electability.
Pictures purportedly featuring swollen eyes and bruising to Ratna's face spread on social media on Tuesday. Some of her colleagues made statements about an alleged assault and expressed concerns, only strengthening the narrative. Later that night, Prabowo issued a public statement, condemning what he thought was an assault against one of his campaigners
A day later, however, Ratna admitted to having lied, saying that her face was swollen as a result of liposuction. Prabowo later made a public apology for failing to cross-check Ratna's accounts before making the previous statement.
"I believe the Ratna Sarumpaet scandal will not affect [Prabowo-Sandiaga's] electability. The presidential and vice-presidential candidates' track records speak for their credibility," said head of the Gerindra executive board Ahmad Riza Patria on Friday, as quoted by kompas.com.
He went on to say that the fake news scandal would serve as an important lesson to the party and the nation about the nature of Prabowo.
"The fake news case taught us that Pak Probowo is a kind and forgiving man, unlike certain people out there who constantly lie to the public and never apologize for their actions," Ahmad Riza said.
He has reported the case involving Ratna to the police, saying he trusted the authorities to deal with Ratna fairly.
Ratna was arrested on Thursday evening at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport in Tangerang, Banten, as she was about to depart for Santiago, Chile, to attend the 11th International Women Playwright's Conference on Oct. 7. (rfa/swd)