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)