JAKARTA (Yosefardi) – Amidst controversy of allegation for asking shares of PT Freeport Indonesia, the Speaker of the House Setya Novanto, who is also Golkar Party politician, met the so-called Forum Pemred that comprises of editor-in-chiefs from major national media on Monday (Nov. 23).

In their meeting at the Wisma Antara building in Central Jakarta, Novanto told the editor-in-chiefs that he has never cited the names of President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo and Vice President Jusuf Kalla. Novanto has once again also denied all allegations made against him for asking Freeport’s shares.

As reported earlier, Minister of Energy & Mineral Resources (ESDM) Sudirman Said has reported Novanto to the House of Representatives’ ethics council (MKD DPR). In his report, Sudirman revealed three meetings between Novanto, businessman M. Reza Chalif, and the CEO of Freeport Indonesia Maroef Sjamsoeddin.

Sudirman also provided transcript and original wiretape of the third meeting dated June 8, 2015 to the DPR’s ethics council.

The DPR’s ethics council, meanwhile, has on Monday started to follow up Sudirman’s report. (haryantosuharman@yosefardi.com)