Another milestone recorded at PTUN

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta State Administrative Court (PTUN) yesterday recorded another dramatic decision when its judges ruled in favor of 25 West Jakarta residents in their lawsuits against Mayor Sutardjianto for the demolition of their houses.

The panel of judges presided over by controversial judge Benjamin Mangkoedilaga said in yesterday's trial that the mayor's decision to demolish the residents' property at Pinangsia in Tamansari district was unlawful.

The judges then said that the Letter of Order originally issued by Sutardjianto on Sept. 30, 1994, was to be canceled and revoked.

In April, a panel of judges led by Benjamin recorded an extraordinary landmark when he ruled in favor of the ex-Tempo employees and their lawsuits against Minister of Information Harmoko for revoking the magazine's publishing license.

The Jakarta chapter of the Legal Aid Institute hailed yesterday's decision.

Benjamin, however, tried to get away from the residents who intended to greet him, saying only, "I must do my best." (bsr)