Bagir sheds light on colleague's murder
Bagir sheds light on colleague's murder
JAKARTA (JP): Chief Justice Bagir Manan hinted at new findings
on Friday which may lead to the solving of the murder of his
colleague Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, but declined to reveal them on
the grounds that the case under investigation.
"We've submitted all of the findings to the police," he said
in a meeting with members of the Coalition of Non-Governmental
Organizations Against Corruption and Violence at his office.
Bagir said that the police would guard each residence of the
Supreme Court justices and provide them with protection both
inside and outside the office.
"Each justice is now allowed to possess a firearm for self-
protection," he said.
During the meeting, the coalition members expressed their
support for the justices and urged them not to fear any threats
that may hamper their duties in upholding law and justice. The
highest judicial body demonstrated its courage lately in sending
big alleged corruptors of the New Order government to jail.
The coalition includes, among others, Indonesian Corruption
Watch (ICW), Institute for Economic Studies, Indonesian Legal Aid
Institute Foundation (YLBHI) and the Center for Legal and Human
Rights Advocacy (PAHAM).
Justices have been provided with tighter security following
the fatal shooting of Syafiuddin on his way to the office on July
26 morning by unidentified gunmen.
Syafiuddin was one of the panel of justices, who sentenced
former president Soeharto's son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra and
timber tycoon Mohamad "Bob" Hasan to jail.
As junior justice for general crimes, Syafiuddin was also
appointed as the leader of a working group to establish the ad
hoc human rights tribunal.
Supreme Court justices have requested permission to carry
firearms.
Separately on Thursday, Justice Benyamin Mangkoedilaga said no
one will harm them if the justices only issue rulings which "do
not hurt anyone's feelings".
"It means, rulings must be based on considerations that are
clear and honest," he told journalists. (bby)