Savero Aristia Wienanto, Jakarta – The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) dismissed the lawsuit against President Joko Jokowi Widodo by the Indonesian Democracy Defenders (TPDI) and the Indonesian Advocates Movement (Perekat Nusantara) over alleged political dynasty and nepotism by him and his family. The court's decision was announced on Tuesday, February 13.
The President's legal representative, Otto Hasibuan, opined that the court could not accept the lawsuit because Jokowi, Iriana Jokowi, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, Anwar Usman, and others were sued as individuals, while the court only has the authority to try someone with a position. Besides, the plaintiff must go through other administrative efforts before filing a lawsuit with the court.
"We can now see that the court is being used as a political stage," Otto told Tempo at the PTUN, on February 13.
The chairman of the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi) believed that the lawsuit was aimed at discrediting and accusing Jokowi of carrying out dynastic politics. "But today, the court's decision proves that there is no political dynasty," he said.
In response to the court's decision, the coordinator of TPDI and Perekat Nusantara, Petrus Selestinus, accused the Jakarta PTUN of adjudicating the case with the intervention of power.
"TPDI and Perekat Nusantara will re-register the lawsuit against government officials, including President Jokowi for political dynasty and nepotism," said Petrus in a written statement.