Akbar visits detained colleague

BANDA ACEH, Nangroe Aceh Darussalam: In a show of solidarity, Golkar Party leader Akbar Tandjung visited Keduah penitentiary in Banda Aceh to meet the leader of the party's chapter here Muntasir Hamid.

Muntasir was arrested on Saturday for alleged corruption, which Akbar had also been charged with. Akbar was acquitted by the Supreme Court, but the Attorney General's Office is still mulling a review of the case.

Akbar hugged Muntasir when they met on Tuesday. Several times Muntasir told Akbar that he would vote for him in the presidential election.

Besides Muntasir, Akbar visited eight detained local government officials, who were also charged with corruption, including the former regent of Banda Aceh.

Akbar said Golkar would provide lawyers from Jakarta to defend Muntasir in court.

"We want the law to be upheld in the province. I believe in the law," said Akbar, who was visiting Aceh to monitor the party's preparations for its election campaign. -- JP