1. LAW: 40 x 1 line
1. LAW: 40 x 1 line
Justice Manan hails judicial commission creation
The country's judiciary, especially its judges, has long been
criticized for its dependence on the executive body.
Its lack of independence is mainly because the judges'
recruitment and administration are in the hands of the Ministry
of Justice and Human Rights, with a little supervisory power by
the Supreme Court.
In an attempt to establish an independent judiciary, Supreme
Court Chief Justice Bagir Manan and noted lawyer Frans Hendra
Winarta have said that the establishment of an independent
judicial commission is essential to avoid government intervention
in local courts.
2. MEGA: 40 x 1 line
PDI Perjuangan members defy chairwoman Megawati
Members of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI
Perjuangan) have got a boost of confidence to challenge
chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri after their latest expression
of defiance was ignored by Megawati.
After publicly ignoring Megawati's instruction during the vote
for the establishment of the House of Representatives' special
committee to probe a graft case last Monday, legislators were
assured that there would be no sanctions imposed on them.
"The chairwoman considers that the problem is over," the
party's faction chairman at the People's Consultative Assembly,
Arifin Panigoro, said on Saturday.
3. DRUGS: 40 x 1 line
War on drugs needs serious shock therapy: Expert
Rianti Surya, 58, a mother of eight children, was
bitter when asked about her opinion of drug abuse. Two of her
five sons have died at 23 and 18 respectively because of
overdoses and pneumonia caused by drug abuse.
"I don't know what's wrong with this country. I've lost my
sons but drug dealers are still free to distribute their evil
wares in my neighborhood," she told The Jakarta Post with tears
streaming down her cheeks.
Rianti, who lives in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, said that
her youngest son would have to spend the next three years in jail
after he pleaded guilty to possessing heroin during a car race.
"Drugs have jeopardized my life and thrown my family into
misery," she said.