Court decision upsets Makassar teachers

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Hundreds of elementary school teachers were outraged on Wednesday when a panel of judges in the Makassar District Court adjourned the trial of a student's parent who had beaten a fellow teacher.

The teachers, from some 400 elementary schools in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi, became even angrier when they learned that the defendant, Syafril Muis Hamzah, was not detained.

The trial was adjourned until Saturday as the prosecutor failed to present the witnesses. The adjournment was the second since the trial began earlier this month.

Shortly after the presiding judge, Muzzakir, announced that the trial was adjourned, the teachers tried to grab the defendant. They also blocked the courtroom entrance to prevent the defendant and his family from leaving.

The teachers also attacked security personnel who tried to disperse them. Outside the courtroom, police officers fired warning shots to stop the teachers from throwing stones and drink bottles into the courtroom.

The situation was gradually brought under control when the senior teachers and the victim's lawyer, Syaifuddin Suding, talked to the angry teachers, advising them to calm down.

"They are emotional, but they are like parents to us, so it is not necessary for the police to fire warning shots to stop them," Syaifuddin said.

The defendant is being tried for assaulting Sahari, a teacher of the state-run Cendrawasih elementary school.

The incident stemmed from a minor argument between two students of the school, namely Nabila and her classmate Dewi Ayu Fianti, in March. Their teacher, Alri Djaria, intervened and managed to settle the quarrel.

But the following day, Nabila's father, Syafril, came to the school to air his dissatisfaction and even threatened Alri.

Syafril and wife, Rosdina, came to the school again the next day and were received by Sahari. Alri apparently was absent because he was afraid of Syafril's earlier threats.

Syafril and Sahari soon became involved in a heated argument. Syafril, helped by his wife, then hit Sahari.

Sahari had to be rushed to a nearby hospital.

On Wednesday, the teachers threatened to boycott the nationwide final examinations if the case was not handled properly soon. They suspect the judges were bribed by the defendant, who is a legal consultant.

The suspicion, however, was immediately dismissed by Muzzakir. "We had no intention of adjourning the trial. We just did what the prosecutors requested." (27/emf)