Court leaves everyone guessing over Akbar
Tiarma Siboro and Slamet Susanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Yogyakarta
The Supreme Court has decided to delay -- for the second time -- until Feb. 12 the much-awaited verdict on an appeal made by House of Representatives Speaker and Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung.
The decision raised many eyebrows, as the panel of judges hearing Akbar case had admitted to reaching an agreement on Wednesday.
It also came amid raucous rallies outside the Supreme Court between Akbar's supporters and his opponents. The latter group demanded that Akbar, a Golkar presidential candidate, serve his jail term for corruption. Hundreds of police were deployed to separate the two groups.
None of the justices turned up to a gathering that was arranged to inform the media of the postponement, and instead sent a court clerk, Satri Rusad.
"The justices need some more time for administrative matters before announcing the verdict publicly. Today, the five-member judicial panel met, and after reaching a consensus, they decided to make the announcement on Thursday, Feb. 12 at 10 in the morning," Satri said.
The clerk was unable to provide an explanation as to the logic behind the delay, as demanded by the media.
Speculation has been rife that the panel, led by Paulus Effendy Lotulung, would acquit Akbar from all charges.
The recently amended Supreme Court Law requires a panel of judges hearing an appeal to deliver a verdict and the views of each panel member.
Article 9 of the law obligates each justice to submit their written opinion on the case, which is to be submitted together with the verdict.
Akbar was convicted by the Central Jakarta District Court for his role in a Rp 40 billion (US$4.7 million) corruption case involving State Logistics Agency (Bulog) funds, and was sentenced to four years in jail.
The Jakarta High Court upheld the verdict, but reduced Akbar's jail term to three years.
Akbar remains free pending the Supreme Court's verdict on his appeal.
The prolonged delay in the verdict's delivery -- the appeal was filed in the middle of last year -- has sparked widespread speculation of backroom deals and political intrigue.
Akbar himself remained on Wednesday at his official residence on Jl. Widya Chandra, South Jakarta, with his wife and children. Several Golkar executives were seen accompanying him, including legislator Ade Komaruddin, former manpower minister Bomer Pasaribu and actress-cum-legislative candidate Nurul Arifin.
Two of Akbar's daughters stayed home from school to support their father, while his wife, Krisnina, prepared snacks and food for all guests, including journalists. Akbar's two other children are studying in the United States.
"I'm not sure the panel of justices would deliver their verdict today," Akbar said.
While the panel convened, outside the Supreme Court, about 500 supporters of Akbar rallied head-to-head against hundreds of university students who demanded that the judges maintain their independence.
"Do not let the Supreme Court be pressured," read a poster unfurled by Akbar's supporters. "Long live Golkar, long live Akbar," they shouted.
The opposing groups came close to clashing when the supporting group -- most of who wore military-style camouflage jackets -- slammed the students for "condemning the Golkar Party and its chairman too much".
Around 600 policemen, who had been posted at the court since morning, split the groups and formed a barrier across Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur, blocking the road to public access for five hours.
The demonstrators dispersed peacefully at around 3:30 p.m.
The decision to delay the announcement of the verdict has also raised concern among Golkar members.
Secretary of Golkar's Yogyakarta chapter Gandung Pardiman said the Supreme Court had failed to uphold the supremacy of the law.
"Their decision shows us that political power, either that of Golkar or of other parties, has intervened with the law.
"If they have reached an agreement, why should they postpone it? Party members ... are ready to face the consequences," he said.