Dani Aswara, Petir Garda B, Jakarta – Indonesian Islamist cleric Rizieq Syihab, commonly known as Habib Rizieq, filed a lawsuit alleging unlawful acts against President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo through the Central Jakarta District Court on September 30, 2024.
The lawsuit, alleging a series of falsehoods propagated by the latter during the period 2012-2024, was registered by his legal counsel, Tim Advokasi Masyarakat Anti Kebohongan or the People's Anti-Lie Advocacy Team (TAMAK).
Habib Rizieq asserted that this legal action was initiated on September 30, a day symbolically associated with the betrayal of Pancasila.
"Since assuming the role of Jakarta Governor Candidate in 2012, Presidential Candidate in 2014 and 2019, and subsequently serving as President, Jokowi has disseminated a series of falsehoods that have had a detrimental impact on the Indonesian nation," Rizieq said in a written statement received by Tempo on Monday, September 30, 2024.
The lawsuit was pursued by Rizieq along with Major General (Ret) Soenarko, Eko Santjojo, Edy Mulyadi, Mursalim R, Marwan Batubara, and Munarman. The lawsuit was registered under Case Number 611/Pdt.G/2024/PN Jkt.Pst.
In the release, TAMAK stated that the alleged series of falsehoods perpetuated by Jokowi were strategically packaged to enhance his image, conceal weaknesses, and obfuscate failures. More alarmingly, these falsehoods were disseminated by Jokowi through the abuse of state mechanisms, facilities, and apparatus.
TAMAK emphasized that if left unaddressed without legal consequences, the alleged series of falsehoods would tarnish the historical legacy of the Indonesian nation, which is founded upon the values of honesty in national life.
"As citizens who are part of the People's Anti-Lie Coalition, we are taking a resolute stance by submitting G30S JOKOWI (September 30 Lawsuit Against Jokowi)," the organization declared.
The lawsuit alleging unlawful acts outlines specific instances of the President's alleged falsehoods, including false claims regarding his commitment to serving as Jakarta Governor for a full term of 5 years, denying allegations of political opportunism, falsifying data concerning 6,000 ESEMKA car orders, rejecting and refraining from accepting foreign loans, and making false assertions about food self-sufficiency and promises not to utilize the state budget for financing infrastructures such as the Indonesia-China High-Speed Rail (KCIC). TAMAK also mentioned false claims regarding the possession of Rp11,000 trillion in Jokowi's personal coffers.
In the lawsuit, Rizieq Syihab and the other plaintiffs demanded that Jokowi pay material compensation equivalent to the value of Indonesia's foreign debt from 2014-2024 and be denied a state-funded house or retirement pension.
TAMAK asserted that the lawsuit initiated by Rizieq and the six other plaintiffs could serve as a concrete step to remind future leaders, although seemingly insignificant compared to the damage and losses incurred by the country. "All policymakers should act with integrity in fulfilling the mandate bestowed upon them by the Indonesian people."
Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1922945/indonesian-cleric-rizieq-syihab-files-lawsuit-against-jokow