From Antara News · · 1m 40s
Minister denies role in president wiretapping case
Bahlil Lahadalia rejects allegations linking him to illegal surveillance of President Prabowo Subianto and threatens legal action against those spreading the claims.
In brief
Bahlil Lahadalia rejects allegations linking him to illegal surveillance of President Prabowo Subianto and threatens legal action against those spreading the claims. Coordinating Minister Bahlil Lahadalia denied involvement in alleged illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto and warned he will pursue…
Minister rejects wiretapping allegations
Coordinating Minister for Downstreaming and Energy Transition Bahlil Lahadalia firmly denied allegations linking him to illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto in Ambon on Saturday.
Social media speculation targets the minister
An intelligence observer shared a narrative about a political party chairman in the Widya Chandra area before police arrested the wiretapping suspect. Speculation on social media linked this to Bahlil.
Bahlil says he was also wiretapped
Bahlil said he was also wiretapped and called on police to investigate the case thoroughly. He stressed he did not know the identity of the political party chairman mentioned in the narrative.
“Regarding the wiretapping of the head of state and several other parties, we ask the police to investigate the case thoroughly. I was also wiretapped.”
Minister calls claims untrue and baseless
Bahlil said messages in WhatsApp groups suggested the issue pointed to him. He described the accusation as untrue and baseless, urging police to investigate those spreading false information.
“This morning, I read messages in WhatsApp groups suggesting that the issue pointed to me. That is an untrue and baseless accusation.”
Legal warning with three-day deadline
Bahlil gave those spreading allegations a three by twenty-four hour deadline starting that day to issue an apology and clarification, threatening legal action if they failed to comply.
“To several people who have used my name, I will issue a legal warning, giving them a 3x24-hour deadline starting today. If they fail to provide clarification, I will pursue legal action.”
Minister urges ethical standards in democracy
Bahlil emphasized the public must uphold ethical standards and refrain from stirring up the national political climate through misleading narratives, saying not everything should lead to slander.
“We are a democratic country, but we must also uphold a dignified democracy. Not everything should lead to slander. That is not good.”
The big picture
Coordinating Minister Bahlil Lahadalia denied involvement in alleged illegal wiretapping targeting President Prabowo Subianto and warned he will pursue legal action against those using his name.
