Defamation case trial to go on

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court decided yesterday to continue trying a lawyer charged with defaming Akbar Tandjung, the minister of public housing.

Heri S. Kolopaking is accused of spreading false information last year about what he called Akbar's illegal selling of a piece of land belonging to his clients.

In response to the defense lawyers' claim that only the honorary council of Ikadin, the advocates association, had the right to reprimand a lawyer for his actions in defending his client, judge Tjok Darmowati said the court had legal authority over the defendant.

The judge also rejected the lawyers' claim that the prosecution was careless in the indictment and had not said who was defamed.

"Akbar Tandjung was clearly mentioned in the indictment," she said.

The indictment, read at the first hearing last month, said the defendant told a press conference in April 1996 that Akbar had sold land without the owners' permission.

The story was printed in the Media Indonesia and Merdeka dailies, and Tiras magazine, the indictment said.

The trial was adjourned until next week. (13)