Aberson appeals defamation verdict

Aberson appeals defamation verdict

JAKARTA (JP): Legislator Aberson Marle Sihaloho, who was
convicted by a court in July for defaming President Soeharto, has
formally lodged an appeal with the Jakarta High Court.

His lawyer, Robert Keytimu, told The Jakarta Post yesterday
that the appeal was submitted through the Central Jakarta
District Court, which gave the guilty verdict.

Aberson, a representative of the Indonesian Democratic Party
(PDI), was sentenced to nine months imprisonment for insulting
the head of state in a speech during a political rally at the PDI
headquarters in Central Jakarta last year.

The rally called "the free speech forum" was organized by
supporters of Megawati Soekarnoputri to oppose a government-
backed PDI congress. The congress removed Megawati and replaced
her with Soerjadi as party chairman.

Aberson, who has remained loyal to Megawati, became the first
House member to be convicted by a court while serving his five-
year term.

A lawyer for jailed politician Sri Bintang Pamungkas said
Monday that a team of lawyers from the Indonesian Bar Association
had prepared a petition for a judicial review of his case.

The petition would be presented to the Supreme Court, Bambang
Widjojanto said.

Like Aberson, Bintang was convicted for defaming Soeharto.

The Central Jakarta District Court found him guilty in May
1996 for insulting the head of state during a series of lectures
in Germany in 1995. The Jakarta High Court upheld the sentence in
January as did the Supreme Court in April.

Bintang is now serving his two years and 10 months jail term
in Cipinang Prison, East Jakarta.

The judicial review is the last channel available for Bintang
to obtain a legal reprieve. A presidential pardon is also
possible, but that would require him to admit his guilt,
something he has never done.

Bintang has also been charged with subversion in connection
with his activities in the Indonesian Democratic Union Party,
which he chairs.

The Jakarta Prosecutor's Office is still preparing the dossier
for the latter trial. (05)