Sutan Nasomal Urges PDIP to Clarify Lawmaker’s “Circus Group” Remark About Journalists
Jakarta – International legal expert and economist Prof. Dr. Sutan Nasomal, S.H., M.H., has called on the Chairperson of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) to clarify a statement made by one of the party’s lawmakers in the House of Representatives (DPR RI), who allegedly referred to journalists as a “circus group” during a meeting at the Nusantara Building in the parliamentary complex.
Sutan Nasomal made the statement on Friday (July 31, 2026), while responding by telephone to questions from editors-in-chief of print and online media organizations from Indonesia and abroad. At the time, he was speaking from the headquarters of the Merdeka Opposition Party in Cijantung, Jakarta.
According to Sutan Nasomal, public officials should exercise caution when making statements in public because every remark may carry legal and social consequences.
“I hope that everyone, regardless of their profession or position, will be careful when speaking in public. A careless statement can have serious consequences. That is why people must be more responsible with their words in today’s era,” he said.
Sutan Nasomal expressed concern over the alleged remark describing journalists as a “circus group.” He argued that if such an accusation cannot be substantiated, it could potentially constitute defamation, create public unrest, and amount to character assassination against the journalism profession.
He also questioned the basis of the statement and said that if there were any personal disputes involving journalists, they should be resolved through appropriate legal or institutional channels rather than through public remarks that could be perceived as degrading the profession.
“If there is a personal issue involving journalists, it should be resolved through the proper legal process. Public statements that may lead to defamation, insults, or character assassination should be avoided,” he said.
As an observer of the House of Representatives, Sutan Nasomal said the matter deserved serious attention and called on the PDIP Chairperson to provide clarification regarding the statement. He further argued that the individual who made the remark should be held accountable under applicable laws if any legal violations are established.
He also urged the Indonesian National Police (Polri) to examine the matter within its legal authority, emphasizing that law enforcement should be impartial and apply equally to all citizens regardless of their position.
“The law must be enforced fairly and should not be harsh on ordinary people while lenient toward those in power,” he stated.
In addition, Sutan Nasomal called on the House Ethics Council (Mahkamah Kehormatan Dewan/MKD) to process the matter in accordance with parliamentary procedures. He stressed that the legislature should respect the role of journalists as one of the essential pillars of democracy in Indonesia.
He added that press freedom is an integral part of a democratic system and should be respected. Therefore, criticism and differences of opinion, he said, should always be expressed in a respectful and responsible manner.
Source: Prof. Dr. Sutan Nasomal, S.H., M.H., International Legal Expert and Economist; President of the Merdeka Opposition Party; General of KOMPII; Chairman of the Indonesian Young Advocates Association (PAMID); Founder and Caretaker of ASS SAQWA PLUS Islamic Boarding School; and Rector of STIH.
Editor: Kamidi, CFLE.
