Council member goes on trial

TANGERANG: The Tangerang District Court will try Tangerang municipal council spokesman Gian Sugiharsono and an alleged drug producer, Ang Kiem Soei, in two separate trials this week, a court staff member said over the weekend.

The staff member, who requested anonymity, said Gian would be tried for illegally renting out a 7,000-square-meter plot belonging to Yayasan Pendidikan Kuncung on Jl. Siliwangi, Jatiuwung subdistrict to 10 tenants.

"The 10 tenants built permanent kiosks alongside the road so that the foundation could not use the land to build a school," said the staff member.

Prosecutor Rustam Nawawi, who prepared the indictment, will charge Gian with violating Article 385 on annexation. The Article carries a maximum punishment of four years in prison.

The trial, which will begin on Wednesday, will be presided over by judge Sutoto Hadi.

A day after the trial, the district court will also begin the trial of an alleged drug producer, Ang Kiem Soei, who was arrested in April after he was accused of producing millions of ecstasy pills in two large factories in Cipondoh and Karawaci, Tangerang.

Ang Kiem Soei's trial will be presided over by court chairman M. Hatta Ali on Thursday. It will be the first case for Hatta Ali to try since he was moved to the district court early this year. -- JP