The name Haris Azhar and Fatia Maulidiyanti have been coming up in most headlines lately. Both Haris and Fatia have been named as suspect in a defamation case against Coordinating Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan.
Haris and Fatia is charged for violating article 27 paragraph (3) in conjunction to Article 45 of the Information and Electronic Transaction Law, and article 310 and 311 of the Indonesian Criminal Code.
The trial of the case is currently ongoing.
The beginning
The defamation case against Minister Luhut started when Haris and Fatia were having a discussion in a video uploaded on Haris’ Youtube Channel.
The video was titled “Ada Lord Luhut di Balik Relasi Ekonomi-OPS Militer Intan Jaya!! Jenderal BIN Juga Ada!! NgeHAMtam” and was posted on August 20, 2021.
In the video, both Haris and Fatia mentioned that Luhut was involved in the mining business in Intan Jaya, Papua.
Haris and Fatia said in the video that PT Tobacom Del Mandiri, a subsidiary of Toba Sejahtera Group, a group of company which shares is owned by Luhut. The company is said to be involved in mining operations in Papua.
“The director of PT Tobacom Del Mandiri is a retired army official, his name is Paulus Prananto. We also know that Toba Sejahtera Group shares is owned by one of our officials. The name of the official is Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan [LBP], The Lord, Lord Luhut. So Luhut can be said to have involvement in mining activities in Papua presently,” Fatia said in minute 14:00 until minute 14:32 in the video.
Further in the video, Fatia said that several names, including Luhut, was among the figures behind the victory of President Joko Widodo in the 2014 election.
Luhut delivers demand letter
Following the publication of the video, Luhut filed a report against Haris and Fatia for defamation to the Metro Jaya Police on September 22, 2021. Luhut claimed that he was slandered because he was associated with the mining practices in Papua.
Luhut said that he had previously delivered demand letters to Haris and Fatia and instructed them to apologize. However, there was no response from Haris and Fatia.
Later on September 27, 2021, Luhut was examined by the police as the plaintiff and argued that he has no mining business in Papua.
“I have no business in Papua, none at all. Moreover the mining business. It means that I have a lot, I have none,” Luhut said during his examination at Metro Jaya Police on September 27. 2021.
Further mediation efforts between Luhut, Haris and Fatia failed, and after a series of investigation and examination, the police officially named Haris and Fatia as suspects on March 19, 2022.
Haris Azhar background
Haris Azhar is known as a human rights activist and the Executive Director of the Lokataru Foundation, an organization focusing on strategic litigation, research, and legal consultation in the field of human rights.
Haris is also a lecturer at Trisakti University in Jakarta and Jentera Indonesia Law School on human rights. Haris is also a member of the Indonesian Advocate Association (PERADI).
Haris obtained his bachelor of law degree from Trisakti University and his post-graduate title from Essex University. He also graduated from post-graduate philosophy studies in Indonesia University.
Haris’ is the recipient of the scholarship program from the International Center for Transitional Justice. He also took part in various international program including the Stand with Civil Society initiated by former President Barack Obama.
Fatia Maulidiyanti’s background
Similar to Haris Azhar, Fatia Maulidiyanti is also known as a human rights activist. She is the coordinator of the Commission for Missing Person and Victims of Violence (KontraS).
Fatia is the founder of Books for Tomorrow, a collective public initiative with a purpose to collect books and distribute books to prison inmates, especially capital punishment convict.
In addition, Fatia is the Campaign Officer for Walk Free Organization, an international organization focusing on human rights issues, especially modern slavery. Fatia graduated from Parahyangan University majoring in international relationship.
