Establishment of special drug court needed: Lawyer
Establishment of special drug court needed: Lawyer
JAKARTA (JP): Noted lawyer Henry Yosodiningrat proposed on
Saturday the establishment of a special drug court to try all
cases of drug abuse and trafficking.
"There have been infractions in drug trials as prosecutors
have failed to ask for and judges have failed to hand down proper
sentences," Henry said while addressing a discussion on the
prevention and the rehabilitation of drug victims at the South
Jakarta mayoralty's auditorium.
"As an example, a suspect was sentenced to only five years in
jail for drug trafficking, the prosecutors had demanded a seven-
year jail term, but the 1997 Law on narcotics allows a 15-year
sentence," Henry, who is also chairman of the Anti-Narcotics
National Movement (GRANAT), said.
He said the establishment of a special drug court was
important for the snowballing campaign against drugs.
"About 35 percent of 300 cases heard at the city's five
district courts are drug cases," he said, quoting statistical
data from GRANAT.
Henry also suggested more personnel be recruited for the
narcotics squad to complement the limited number of police
detectives.
"Police should provide thorough protection to witnesses and
informants of drug cases," said Henry, whose second son is being
treated at Yayasan Insan Pengasih rehabilitation center in Kuala
Lumpur.
He said the number of drug traffickers in Jakarta alone was
much bigger than the 70-strong city police detectives.
"Internationally organized drug syndicates are stronger here
than the police are, so there should be a special force to deal
with such a serious matter," he said.
The lawyer also called for active public participation to
fight drugs, such as by providing immediate reports or accurate
information to police on drug abuse and trafficking.
The discussion, organized by NARASI youth social organization
in cooperation with the Caring Parents Association, also
addressed the increasing number of drug cases in the city and the
role the public could play to help minimize drug abuse and
trafficking.
"The 1997 law on narcotics and psychotropic substances
authorize members of society to arrest suspected drug users and
dealers and handing them over to the police. But make sure to
catch them while they are using or trafficking drugs," Henry
said.
Action
South Jakarta Mayor Abdul Mufti said it was the right time for
society to take real action against drugs.
"No more seminars or discussions, it's time to take action,"
Mufti said while opening the discussion.
The mayor said subdistrict heads under his supervision should
not wait for his instruction to take action against any drug
abusers or traffickers in their respective neighborhoods.
"Village and subdistrict heads who lack the courage to fight
drugs should just move aside or go to sleep," he said.
Syahmad, a Malaysian counselor for the Jakarta office of
Yayasan Insan Pengasih, said every neighborhood should establish
a community action team to fight drugs.
"This team is designed to create a drug-free environment, a
move proven successful in the Philippines. In cooperation with
the police, the team can prevent drug abuse and trafficking in
the neighborhood," he said.
Henry also spoke about the involvement of law enforcement
officers in drug rings, either as users, dealers or back-up men.
He said that GRANAT would officially request the national
military police reveal their findings on Army Second Lt. Agus
Isrok, who was arrested during a raid in August for allegedly
possessing 7,000 ecstasy pills, four kilograms of shabu-shabu
(crystal methamphetamine), marijuana and five grams of putauw
(low-grade heroin). (01)