DPR Chairman Clarifies Verbal Sexual Harassment Accusation: The Details

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta – Chairman of Commission VII DPR RI Congratulations Suparwoto clarified the matter of his conversation with a former DPR member with the initials AAFS which led to him being reported in a suspected case sexual harassment verbally. He revealed that this started from his conversation with AAFS via text message in March 2022.

“In 2022 more or less in March, while the report or complaint (to Bareskrim Polri) is said to have been on April 10 (2023). This means that it took more than 1 year, this is what happened,” said Sugeng at the parliament complex, Senayan , Jakarta, Monday, 12 June 2023.

Sugeng said that at first he and AAFS, who were fellow party cadres, had a telephone conversation, then continued with a short message conversation via WhatsApp.

“Before arriving at the house there were discussions over the phone. As soon as I got home, the cellphone connection was not good, so I was WA (WhatsApp), WA-an, so he wanted to meet me. I said I was already at home. If you want to meet, yes please just stay at home,” he said.

Party Politician NasDem it said the statement was later responded to by AAFS with updates on the situation.

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“He stated he was also at home. I asked, ‘what are you doing?’ Answered again take a shower. That’s what he said,” he said.

Responding to the AAFS news, Sugeng also admitted that he responded back to AAFS by sending a message asking for a photo. Sugeng claimed that his statement was joking.

“However, in joking situations, ‘I said a photo, please’. That’s it,” he explained.

According to Sugeng, he and AAFS came from the same constituency, so he claimed that they had a close relationship. In fact, Sugeng admitted that he considered AAFS like his little brother.

“In fact, we are support. Remember, yes, each other support support with various activities,” he said.

Sugeng also admitted that he was shocked by the complaint to Bareskrin Polri regarding the alleged verbal sexual harassment. Meanwhile, he said that he had never had physical contact with AAFS.

“Indeed, I have never physically touched even a drop, I have never touched her hair, nails, cheeks, nose, let alone her body. However, it was framed in such a way as if I had committed sexual harassment,” he said.

Sugeng said the remarks via text message to AAFS were not a form of sexual harassment as the accusation he received.

He also admitted that he would respect the law in cases of abolition of religion.

“I did not commit harassment as stated, which was alleged. Remember, yes, the name being accused doesn’t yet meet the elements, isn’t that right, there is another process, is this done, and what is certain I am not spreading it, this is private chat individually,” he said.

This case was revealed after AAFS on Friday June 9 2023 complained about Sugeng to the Council Honorary Court or MKD DPR RI, Jakarta. The complaint concerns a violation of the code of ethics in the form of verbal sexual harassment.

“Today our friends at MKD received a report from Ms. AAFS, she was the person present in relation to a case that is now viral on social media (social media),” said Deputy Chairman of MKD DPR RI Habiburokhman at the parliament complex, Senayan, Jakarta.

Meanwhile, AAFS admitted that he also attached a document containing a short message as evidence for his complaint report.

Previously, Deputy Secretary General of NasDem, Hermawi Taslim said he would respect the legal process against his party cadre Sugeng Suparwoto for reporting to Bareskrim and MKD DPR regarding allegations of sexual harassment.

“Right now at Bareskrim and MKD, we just respect that process,” he said when contacted. Friday, June 9, 2023.

Hermawi is convinced that Sugeng will not be stripped of his membership status as a NasDem party cadre as long as there is no official decision from the court and the MKD. “Oh sure,” he said.

Moreover, he continued, the legal process against Sugeng had not yet started. “The process hasn’t even started yet,” he said.