Court case against Golkar begins

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)