NGOs a step closer in suit against Soeharto<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Seven non-governmental organizations (NGOs) made
\nmajor progress in their suit against President Soeharto over the
\nuse of a forestry fund when the State Administrative Court ruled
\ntheir case valid.<\/p>\n
The court's chief Benjamin Mangkoedilaga told reporters after
\nmeeting with the plaintiffs' lawyers in a 15-minute closed
\nsession that the suit was valid and that court is determined to
\ncontinue the legal process.<\/p>\n
\"We held the preliminary examination this morning and we
\ndeclared that the suit passed the dismissal process,\"
\nMangkoedilaga said.<\/p>\n
He added, however, that the suit needed improvement and asked
\nthe lawyers to submit the NGOs' statutes.<\/p>\n
The NGOs are suing the head of state for issuing a decree
\nwhich used Rp 400 billion of the government's reforestation fund
\nto finance a plan of the state aircraft manufacturer IPTN to
\ndevelop a new aircraft. The NGOs said the decree is in violation
\nof a regulation stressing that the funds should be used solely
\nfor reforestation programs.<\/p>\n
If the trial does proceed, this will be the first time since
\nthe court was established in 1991 to name the head of state as
\ndefendant.<\/p>\n
Minister\/State Secretary Moerdiono, during a hearing with the
\nHouse of Representatives on Wednesday, said that the President
\nhas studied the allegations and was prepared to meet with the
\nNGOs in the court.<\/p>\n
Moerdiono also gave his assurances that Soeharto would not try
\nto influence the legal process.<\/p>\n
Public trust<\/p>\n
The plaintiffs are the Indonesian Forum of Environment
\n(WALHI), the Foundation of Indonesian Tropical Nature, the
\nFoundation of Forum of the Study of Population and Environment,
\nthe Foundation of the Institution of the Development of
\nEnvironment and Human Resources, the Indonesian Center for Law
\nDevelopment, the Pelangi Foundation and the Foundation for the
\nSocial Development Training and Support.<\/p>\n
They are represented by Soekardjo Adidjojo from the Indonesian
\nLegal Aid Foundation (YLBHI), Nursyahbani Katjasungkana from
\nWomen's Solidarity for Human Rights, Abdul Hakim Garuda Nusantara
\nfrom the Policy Research of Advocation, and Nur Amalia of the
\nJakarta Legal Aid Institute (LBH).<\/p>\n
\"The allocation of the funds has eroded the public trust on
\nthe government's commitment to the reforestation program...,\" the
\nplaintiffs said in the suit. They also demanded that the court
\norder the accused to pay Rp 5 million in compensation.<\/p>\n
Judge Mangkoedilaga gave the plaintiffs until Oct.3 to improve
\nthe suit. \"If they can do it within the deadline, we will summon
\nthe accused to court between Oct. 10 and 13,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Mangkoedilaga said he will personally preside over the trial
\nif it comes to that and has appointed Soemaryono and A.R. Husny
\nto the panel of judges.<\/p>\n
WALHI's executive Emmy Hafild told journalists yesterday that
\nshe was pleased and relieved to learn that the court would
\nexamine the case. \"Passing the dismissal process is significant
\nprogress,\" she said.<\/p>\n
\"Honestly speaking, at the beginning we doubted whether we
\ncould pass it considering the great political weight,\" she added.<\/p>\n
She hoped that the judges would not be pressured politically
\nand that the case would be tried in open sessions allowing the
\npublic to follow them.<\/p>\n
The President will be represented by the Attorney General.
\n(sim)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ngos-a-step-closer-in-suit-against-soeharto-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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