Gowa Regent reports journalist and official for defamation amid impeachment probe

Gowa Regent Sitti Husniah Talenrang has filed a defamation and false testimony complaint with the National Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Bareskrim) against a journalist and the local Head of Transportation. The action follows their testimonies during a special committee hearing related to an impeachment inquiry initiated by the Gowa Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD).

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I, along with my legal counsel, have reported two individuals for defamation and false testimony in the impeachment inquiry special committee.

Husniah stated that the testimonies provided by journalist Saenal Abidin and Transportation Agency Head Agussalim Harahap were slanderous and damaging to her personal and official reputation. She expressed her belief that Abidin's statements violated journalistic code of ethics, while Harahap's testimony was allegedly false.

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I am not a legal expert, but I can assess that what Saenal Abidin presented violates regulations, especially concerning his profession as a journalist, in this case, a violation of journalistic ethics. Likewise, Agus Harahap's testimony was false and defamatory.

Despite the ongoing inquiry, Husniah maintains that she has not yet received any official summons to attend the DPRD hearings. She emphasized her commitment to maintaining the normal functioning of Gowa's government and public services, urging residents not to be provoked by circulating rumors. The DPRD's impeachment inquiry is reportedly focusing on allegations of abuse of authority concerning scholarship revocations, irregularities in free school uniform procurement, and alleged misconduct in regional governance.

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Since this impeachment inquiry began, I have not received any invitations at all. Information circulating suggests I might be summoned next Monday, but to date, there has been no official notification.