'Pakpahan's critical remark is neutral'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): An expert witness testified yesterday that
\ncomments made by labor leader Muchtar Pakpahan, being tried for
\nsubversion, should be regarded as neutral personal statements.<\/p>\n
Political scientist Ryaas Rashid, a witness for the
\nprosecution, told the South Jakarta District Court that
\nPakpahan's statements were neutral unless he threatened to
\nconduct a revolution.<\/p>\n
Pakpahan, leader of the unrecognized Indonesian Prosperous
\nLabor Union (SBSI), was charged in December with subversion
\nthrough activities which the prosecution said undermined the
\ngovernment.<\/p>\n
The prosecution claimed that he spread hatred against the
\ngovernment in a book he wrote and other statements he made
\nbetween August 1995 and July 27, 1996.<\/p>\n
The prosecution introduced evidence yesterday of Pakpahan's
\nspeech in Lisbon on Feb. 23, 1996.<\/p>\n
Pakpahan reportedly said there were two ways to bring about
\npolitical change in Indonesia. One was through reform by
\nconstitutional means and the other was by a "people's power
\nrevolution".<\/p>\n
Pakpahan stopped short of saying he would prescribe a
\nrevolution saying only that he believed in reformist ways. But he
\nwarned that if reform failed, a revolution would come.<\/p>\n
While describing Pakpahan's statement as neutral, Rashid, the
\nhead of the Institute of Government Administration Science in
\nBandung, West Java, said that critical speeches of one's own
\ncountry delivered abroad could raise "ethical problems".<\/p>\n
"From a political ethics point of view, the purpose of the
\nremarks could be questioned," he said.<\/p>\n
The trial entered into heated debate yesterday when
\nprosecutors entered a written statement by Pakpahan which they
\nsaid undermined state authority.<\/p>\n
"The avenue of people's sovereignty in our statehood has been
\nblocked, killing off democracy," read the statement signed by
\nPakpahan on June 1, 1996.<\/p>\n
Pakpahan's lawyers rejected the prosecution's evidence saying
\nthat the statement was never publicly distributed. They
\nmaintained that the statement was only presented to the House of
\nRepresentatives.<\/p>\n
"What is your evidence that the letter was distributed?" Judge
\nDjazuli P. Sudibyo asked the prosecutor.<\/p>\n
"The evidence is that the mass media quoted it," prosecutor
\nMoekiat replied.<\/p>\n
When Rashid was asked to comment on this, he said that as long
\nas the letter was only sent to the House, it was ethically
\nacceptable.<\/p>\n
"If it was then spread to the mass media then they were
\nresponsible," Rashid remarked.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's hearing was adjourned after Pakpahan was asked if
\nhe was able to continue. The labor leader said he was not able to
\ndue to his health.<\/p>\n
The trial was adjourned until next week when the court will
\nhear a new witness. Rashid will again be called to testify on
\nSept. 25. (05)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/pakpahans-critical-remark-is-neutral-1447893297",
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