Court case against Golkar begins

JAKARTA (JP) : The Supreme Court opened hearings on Friday into a suit filed by several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) aimed at dissolving the Golkar Party.

R.O. Tambunan of the Pijar Keadilan Law Office filed the suit on behalf of some 60 people grouped in five NGOs -- Paguyuban Korban Orde Baru (Society for Victims of the New Order - Pakorba), Lembaga Perjuangan Rehabilitasi Pegawai Negeri Korban Rezim Orde Baru (Institute for the Rehabilitation of Civil Servant Victims of the New Order Regime), Gabungan Serikat Buruh Indonesia (Confederation of Independent Labor Unions - GSBI), Barisan Penyelamat Bangsa (Nation's Savior Front - Balabas), and Front Indonesia Semesta (Front for a Universal Indonesia - FIS).

The plaintiffs' case is based on allegations that the party violated Law No. 2/1999 on Political Parties.

"In the last general election, the party received funds exceeding the amount allowed by political parties," Tambunan asserted.

Article 14 of Law No. 2/1999 stipulates that a political party is not allowed to receive personal donations exceeding Rp 15 million, or donations from private companies, legal bodies, or organizations in excess of Rp 150 million.

"Golkar exceeded their donation level allowed under the law, as they received Rp 90 billion from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog), Rp 15 billion from Bank Bali and Rp 1 billion from the former chief of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA), AA Baramuli," Tambunan claimed.

"The party also violated Article 9 of the law for failing to promote democracy, honesty and fairness in the 1999 general election.

"Due to the party's violations, we ask the court to dissolve or suspend the party," Tambunan told the court, presided over by Judge Asma Samik Ibrahim.

The court adjourned until Tuesday, when it will hear the party's response, represented by lawyers OC Kaligis, Hotma Sitompoel, Ruhut Sitompul and Tony Sihotang. (02)