REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Coordinating Minister of Maritime Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan asserted he did not violate any regulation by performing one-finger poses while attending the IMF agenda on October 14. He explained that the pose was not part of a campaign.

"I have read the regulation," he said after being questioned by Election Supervisory Body (Bawaslu) at Bawaslu office in Jakarta on Friday.

According to Luhut, one-finger pose symbolized 'Indonesia number one'. He reiterated that by showing his two index fingers. Luhut said he did it spontaneously.

"We said, Indonesia number one, great indonesia. We were excited to be able to hold IMF World Bank Meeting which has bring Indonesia to higher standard. We don't even think of campaign," Luhut said.

Finance Minister Sri Mulyani meets Bawaslu summon on one-finger poses case at Bawaslu office, Jakarta, Friday (Nov 2).

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati was reluctant to comment on the case. She meet Bawaslu summon at 15.13 WIB and came out from the examination room around 17.00 WIB.

"I was asked to give explaination about the incident at press conference (during IMF-World Bank Annual Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali)," she said briefly.

Sri Mulyani did not respond further questioned asked by the reporters. "Just ask Bawaslu," she said while leaving Bawaslu office.

Bawaslu examined Luhut and Sri Mulyani separately. Luhut arrived around 15.12 WIB and left the examination room at 16.10 WIB.

Also read: Luhut, Sri reported to Bawaslu over one-finger pose

Luhut and Sri were reported to Bawaslu on Oct 18 by Nusantara Advocate Team. They both were reported for alleged violations of campaigns related to one-finger poses while attending the IMF agenda on October 14. 

The complainant's attorney, M Taufiqurrohman, said the two state officials were alleged to have carried out acts that benefited one candidate for presidential and vice presidential candidates. The index finger poses was accused to represent support to presidential candidate pair number one, incumbent President Joko Widodo-KH Ma'ruf Amin.

The report was filed because IMF Meeting was part of the official agenda of the state. The complainant found indications of covert campaigns in which Luhut and Sri Mulyani were seen directing the IMF Director Christine Lagarde, and World Bank President Jim Yong Kim, to pose one finger on a photo session.

"Sri Mulyani told Luhut to asked Lagarde to not use two fingers pose. Luhut then instructed Lagarde 'No no no, not two, not two'. Sri Mulyani then explained Lagarde that 'Two is Prabowo, and one is for Jokowi'," Taufiq said.

Therefore, he said, Sri and Luhut were allegedly using the situation to benefit and show allignment towards candidate number 01. "The actions of Luhut and Sri Mulyani legally deserve to be suspected of having violated the Election Law, as stipulated in Article 282 juncto Article 283 paragraph (1) and (2) juncto Article 547 Law Number 7 of 2017 concerning Elections, with the threat of imprisonment 3 Year and fine of Rp. 36,000,000 (thirty six million rupiahs). In addition, both must be dismissed as ministers who are clearly and clearly not neutral in the activities of state meetings, "Taufiq said.

Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika