Court told to seize Abdurrahman's assets

JAKARTA (JP): Former secretary-general of the forestry ministry, Soeripto, demanded the Jakarta District Court seize property belonging to President Abdurrahman Wahid, a building and land on Jl. Warung Sila in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, as part of compensation he sought for alleged defamation, news portal detikcom reported.

Soeripto's lawyer Masiga Bugis said on Monday that Soeripto also demanded a payment of Rp 3.7 billion (US$336,000) for material and moral compensation.

Soeripto further demanded that the President publish his apology in three national newspapers and five electronic media for one week.

Soeripto was dismissed by Abdurrahman in March. The President alleged Soeripto had held a meeting to plot his downfall and had aided in the escape of the fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra.

Yosef Suwandi of the Attorney General's Office, representing Abdurrahman Wahid, said that the defamation charges were unsubstantiated, saying "the allegations (of defamation) were based on rumors."

He said Soeripto's dismissal was aimed at improving efficiency in the ministry.