Demand to dissolve Golkar rejected

JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court on Monday hinted that it would not process the demand by a group of five plaintiffs to dissolve Golkar Party saying a similar lawsuit by another group is currently being processed by the Central Jakarta District Court.

Deputy chief justice for military law, German Hudiarto, said to avoid an overlapping with the lower court, the Supreme Court decided not to accept the group's litigation against Golkar.

German, who spoke in his capacity as presiding judge in the case, emphasized that the Supreme Court's decision was merely aimed at upholding the law.

Early this year, the Democratic People's Party (PRD) and several non-governmental organizations filed a class action against Golkar. The schedule of the trial, however, has yet to be set.

"It does not mean that your suit is being turned down," justice Hudiarto said during a meeting at his office with the representatives of Group of 50, the Alliance Forum of Islamic Parties, Committee of Alertness Against New Order, Marhaen People's Movement, and Islamic Students Association (HMI MPO).

In their statement, read out by Muslim Community Party (PUI) chairman Deliar Noer, the group demanded the dissolution of Golkar for its political crimes during the New Order's 32 years tenure and the trial of its leaders.

The Supreme Court is also urged not to allow Golkar members to hold any position in the executive, legislative and judiciary bodies for five years.

In order to avoid a prolonged legal process, Judilherry Justam of the Committee of Alertness Against New Order, asked the Supreme Court to take an extraordinary legal step against Golkar.

"This step is needed because we fear that the New Order will return to power," Judilherry said.

Deliar regretted the Supreme Court's response. "It shows no willingness to meet the people's aspirations," he said after the meeting. (02)