Court offers PKB solution

Court offers PKB solution

JAKARTA: The trial began on Wednesday for a lawsuit filed by
Minister of Defense Matori Abdul Djalil protesting his dismissal
as chairman of the National Awakening Party (PKB) with judges
offering an out-of-court settlement.

The panel of judges, presided over by Tusani Jufri at the
South Jakarta District Court told the lawyers that the dispute
should be settled amicably.

The trial was adjourned until July 4.

Matori claims that his dismissal as PKB chairman by the
party's board of patrons led by former president Abdurrahman "Gus
Dur" Wahid was unlawful.

Matori was dismissed last year after he defied PKB's ban on
its legislators from attending the Special Session of the
People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) to oust Gus Dur from power.

An internal rift then erupted within PKB with Matori
establishing a rival faction amid tacit backing from President
Megawati Soekarnoputri. --Antara

Death for drug dealers: Minister

JAKARTA: Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah encouraged
judges on Wednesday not to be afraid of handing down life
sentences for drug offenders.

He deplored the practice of transferring judges, who dared to
sentence convicted drug dealers to death, to other courts, often
in remote areas.

Speaking at a seminar on a national campaign to save the
nation from drugs, Bachtiar said the government would launch a
nationwide antidrug campaign in conjunction with the World Anti-
Drugs Day that falls on June 26.

"If necessary, we will also conduct the campaign in schools.
We therefore need support from all people," he said.

The seminar was also attended by Minister of Information and
Communications Syamsul Mu'arif. --Antara

Chinese official meets Rachman

JAKARTA: Chinese Deputy Attorney General Zhao Deng Ju met with
Indonesian Attorney General M.A. Rachman here on Wednesday to
discuss legal affairs between the two countries.

"The cooperation will especially deal with the exchange of
senior officials and students in a bid to learn about legal
issues in the respective countries," Rachman said.

The cooperation may also cover issues of transnational and
international crime, efforts to handle defiant religious groups,
international terrorism and corruption.

Zhao and his entourage will stay here until June 25. During
the visit, they are slated to visit the training center of the
Attorney General's Office and met with leaders at the House of
Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly.

The delegates will also visit Jakarta's Cipinang penitentiary.
--Antara