BALINEWSID.COM, DENPASAR – Former member of Indonesia’s General Elections Commission (KPU), I Gusti Putu Artha, has been named a suspect in an alleged defamation case by the Bali Regional Police (Polda Bali).

Artha confirmed his suspect status in a public statement, saying he respected the ongoing legal process despite what he described as irregularities in the investigation.

The suspect designation was issued on November 10, 2026, under Letter No. S.Tap.Tsk/55/XI/RES 2.5/2026/Diressiber, naming I Gusti Putu Artha, S.P., M.Si., as the suspect.

Investigators have cited Article 433 paragraphs (1) and (2), in conjunction with Article 441 paragraph (1) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, as amended by Law No. 1 of 2026 on Criminal Penalty Adjustments.

Artha said the case stemmed from a complaint filed by Nyoman Sariana, also known as Dede.

In his statement, Artha alleged that he had previously been targeted by what he described as unbalanced media coverage. He also claimed that the case might be connected to his efforts to expose alleged illegal activities involving the LPG trade.

However, these allegations have not been independently verified.

Artha questioned the handling of the case, particularly the timing of the investigation order, which he claimed was issued just one day after the police report was filed.

Despite his concerns, he said he was not intimidated by the suspect designation and would continue his activities as usual.

He also argued that the alleged defamation case should allow room for mediation, forgiveness and restorative justice, while maintaining that the allegations against him did not meet the legal requirements for a criminal offense.

“I have legal arguments to show that the allegations do not meet the elements of a criminal offense. I have an opportunity to turn this situation around,” Artha said in his statement.

Separately, Artha issued an open letter addressed to Bali Police Chief Inspector General Pasma Royce, raising concerns over alleged misconduct involving police personnel in Bali.

In the letter, he questioned the alleged practice of summoning business owners by a directorate within the Bali Regional Police over various matters, including the alleged unauthorized use of groundwater, foreign currency transactions and spatial planning regulations.

Artha claimed there were indications that money had been handed over during some of these encounters. However, the allegations have not been independently verified, and no official response addressing these specific claims was included in the information available.

He also raised concerns about alleged police tolerance of illegal cockfighting gambling activities, locally known as tajen.

Artha said he possessed documents that he believed could support his allegations and expressed his willingness to provide information to the Bali Police Chief.

He emphasized that he was prepared to cooperate with the police in addressing alleged abuses of authority.

Separately, Bali Police Public Relations Subdivision Head AKBP Rina Isriana Dewi confirmed that Artha had been named a suspect in the alleged defamation case.

“Yes, he has been named a suspect. Investigators from the Bali Regional Police’s Cybercrime Directorate are currently conducting an investigation into the alleged defamation case, and the process is ongoing,” Rina said in a WhatsApp message on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

The Bali Police have yet to provide further details regarding the substance of the complaint or the next stages of the investigation.

The case remains under investigation, and Artha’s legal status as a suspect does not constitute proof of guilt.