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