Mamiek on probation over loss of gun<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The daughter of former president Soeharto, Siti
\nHutami Endang Adiningsih, was handed a 30-day probation period
\nfor failing to report the loss of her gun.<\/p>\n
"If, for the next thirty days from today, the defendant
\ncommits any crime, she'll get 10 days in jail," judge Asep Iwan
\nIrawan told the Central Jakarta District Court on Monday.<\/p>\n
Asep declared Hutami, popularly known as Mamiek, guilty of
\nviolating Article 7 and Article 33 of the Ordonnantie
\n(Regulation) on firearms, dated March 19, 1937.<\/p>\n
The Articles carry a maximum sentence of three months in jail
\nor a fine of Rp 7,500 (about U.S. 70 cents).<\/p>\n
The defendant was accompanied by her lawyers, Juan Felix
\nTampubolon and Wimboyono, during the hearing, which also heard
\nthe testimonies of four witnesses, including police officers and
\nMamiek's servant Abdul Azis.<\/p>\n
After the one-hour trial, Asep said regardless of who the
\ndefendant is, an owner of a firearm must immediately report its
\nloss.<\/p>\n
"Why do you think firearms, most of them untraceable, fall
\ninto the hands of robbers and murderers? It's because gun owners
\nlease their guns to criminals, or owners fail to report their
\nloss, and subsequently they end up in the wrong hands," Asep
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He said Mamiek's reason for the delay in reporting the loss of
\nher gun, a .22 millimeter Colt caliber, was that she was taking
\ncare of her father.<\/p>\n
Soeharto had failed to attend the three court sessions of his
\n$571 million dollar graft case due to ill health, a reason which
\nthe South Jakarta District Court used to dismiss the case last
\nSeptember.<\/p>\n
"Mamiek was supposed to extend her gun permit on April 1, but
\nshe only got around to it on Oct. 23, and it was then that she
\nrealized the gun was missing. That is just careless (behavior),"
\nAsep said.<\/p>\n
A clerk at the district court requesting anonymity said that
\nnormally judges would fine defendants Rp 7,500.<\/p>\n
"I guess this judge wants to show all gun owners that they
\nmust be responsible and extra careful possessing something as
\ndangerous as a firearm," he said.<\/p>\n
The public recently lauded Asep, considered a tough judge who
\nformerly served at the Tangerang District Court, for handing down
\ndeath sentences to three convicted drug dealers, two of whom were
\nwomen, on Aug. 22.<\/p>\n
The trio were part of an international drug smuggling ring and
\nwere attempting to smuggle cocaine out of the country in January.
\n(ylt)<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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