Demand for justices' dismissal supported
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) chairwoman Megawati Soekarnoputri supported on Tuesday a demand raised by the party's faction for the dismissal of the justices handling Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra's case, secretary-general Soetjipto said on Tuesday.
Speaking at a news briefing after the party's weekly meeting led by Megawati, Soetjipto said that the executive board of the party fully supported the demand to dismiss the justices for overturning their colleagues' earlier verdict of a prison sentence for the fugitive son of former president Soeharto.
The dismissals, however, would have to be conducted according to existing procedures, he said.
"We, the executive board of the party, fully back the demand as long as it is carried out in line with procedures," Soetjipto said.
The PDI Perjuangan faction at the House of Representatives urged the People's Consultative Assembly (MPR) on Monday to assess the Supreme Court's controversial decision on Tommy, who was convicted of graft charges, during its annual session next month.
The Supreme Court panel, led by Supreme Court deputy justice M. Taufik, decided to free Tommy from all accusations in the graft case. The decision has sparked public complaints and has put Megawati's administration under scrutiny as to whether she can uphold the law or not. The other two members on the panel were Soeharto (no relation to former president Soeharto) and Geerman Hoediarto.
Attorney General M.A. Rachman hinted on Saturday that irregularities had been found in the Supreme Court's decision to nullify an earlier ruling that sentenced Tommy to 18 months in prison.
Tommy, who is accused of being involved in a series of bombing incidents in the country, is also allegedly involved in the murder of Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, one of the justices that sentenced him.
Megawati, who is also the incumbent President, explained at the meeting that the government could not interfere with the ongoing legal process as it was the Supreme Court's authority to make the decision.
However, it does not close the possibility that Megawati may call for a thorough investigation into the justices that decided to free Tommy.