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)