Daughter claims rector charged with sexual harassment innocent<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The daughter of the rector of a private
\ninstitute now on trial for sexual harassment charges says her
\nfather is innocent.<\/p>\n
Maslina Firman Hoetasoehoet charged on Saturday that her
\nfather's trial is being orchestrated by certain parties,
\nincluding Indonesian media magnates, in order to achieve enough
\nleverage to appropriate the institute and remove her father from
\nthe post of rector.<\/p>\n
Maslina, an engineer from the noted Bandung Institute of
\nTechnology (ITB), said that she could sense a vicious game behind
\nthe trial.<\/p>\n
She emphasized that she cannot believe that her father, Ali
\nMochtar Hoetasoehoet, sexually harassed two female staff members
\nof the Institute of Social and Mass Communication (IISIP), Dyah
\nBintarini and Hanny B. Pegy.<\/p>\n
She said that the trial is being used by the rector's enemies
\nwho have tried to gain rights over the institute.<\/p>\n
She added, however, that she is convinced that the trial will
\nnot affect her father's position, either as the institute's
\nfounder or rector.<\/p>\n
\"He is a survivor, I am convinced he can handle the matter,\"
\nshe said.<\/p>\n
Harun M. Hussen, the prosecutor who has demanded a one-year
\njail term for the rector, earlier told the court that
\nHoetasoehoet made indecent advances toward Dyah Bintarini eight
\ntimes in his office and other places, including the institute's
\nlibrary, where Dyah used to work. The sexual harassment allegedly
\noccurred during the period of March 1987 to July 1991.<\/p>\n
The rector is also accused of similar behavior toward Hanny B.
\nPeggy, who was reportedly sexually victimized 15 times in her
\nrented room and in various rooms at the institute, from May 1984
\nto June 1991.<\/p>\n
Maslina said that there is no proof that either plaintiff has
\nthe grounds to charge her father with the offense. She said that
\nHanny's accusation of being sexually harassed by her father in
\nthe institute library in May of 1984 was a lie because the
\nbuilding was not even constructed yet.<\/p>\n
Unbelievable<\/p>\n
She also said that the same accusation made by Dyah of being
\nharassed on June 10, 1992, was unbelievable as at that time Dyah
\nwas attending a meeting to organize students' examinations and
\nher presence there was confirmed by her own signature on the
\nattendance list.<\/p>\n
Maslina said she doubted the honesty of several witnesses who
\ntestified against her father since none of them saw him commit
\nthe harassment.<\/p>\n
Dyah Bintarini told The Jakarta Post that the trial was aimed
\nat proving the defendant's guilt and nothing more. She denied
\nknowledge of any party hoping to take advantage from the case.<\/p>\n
Dyah said that the trial was her last resort as previously she
\nhoped that the defendant would apologize to her and he did not.
\n\"All I want is just an apology and I even gave him a month to ask
\nfor my forgiveness.\"<\/p>\n
Presiding Judge Doris Hutahulu adjourned the trial from
\nSaturday until June 25 because the defendant's lawyer, Maruli
\nSimorangkir, was not present to read his defense statement.<\/p>\n
Petrus Bala Pattyona, a lawyer from Maruli's firm, denied that
\nMaruli's absence was part of his strategy. He said Maruli had to
\nattend another court hearing to read another defense statement.
\n(03)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/daughter-claims-rector-charged-with-sexual-harassment-innocent-1447893297",
"image": ""
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