Guess What? Goenawan Mohamad

The Jakarta State Administrative Court came alive on Thursday when Goenawan Mohamad, the former Chief Editor of the banned Tempo newsweekly, was called as a witness in the case of former Tempo employees against the Minister of Information Harmoko for revoking the magazine's publishing license.

The packed courtroom was astonished by his clear and firm answers to questions posed by the judges, the employees' lawyers and Harmoko's lawyers.

When a lawyer for the minister asked him if Tempo had enough money to compensate its employees in October, four months after the magazine had been closed, he quickly responded, "No sir, we did not have enough money to pay our employees."

"You are not supposed to continue asking that question," he explained to Soeryadi W.S., one of Harmoko's lawyers, repeating Chief Judge Benjamin Mangkoedilaga's order that the lawyer not ask questions out of context.

Later, he cried while relating the story of one reporter who was deeply upset after losing his job at the magazine.

Goenawan Mohamad also acted the part of a prudent politician when he helped the presiding judge calm down the noisy court.

"Silent please!" he demanded, raising his right hand towards the noisy crowd. The crowd shut up immediately. (imn)