Gus Dur misses extortion trial three times

Gus Dur misses extortion trial three times

M. Taufiqurrahman, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid again failed to
appear as a key witness in the trial of the man who is reportedly
his spiritual advisor on Thursday at the Central Jakarta District
Court.

Spokesman for the former leader, Adhi Massardi, said that Gus
Dur was in Sukabumi, West Java, to attend a meeting. He declined
to reveal the purpose of the meeting.

"The meeting will last until late in the afternoon, so I can
assure you that Gus Dur will not attend the trial," Adhi was
quoted by Antara news agency as saying.

Thursday was the opening day of the campaign period for
political parties contesting the legislative election, which will
last until April 1.

Adhi claimed that despite failing to turn up three times, Gus
Dur had not intended to obstruct court proceedings.

Prosecutors had expected Gus Dur to testify in the trial of
Islamic boarding school leader Abdullah Sidiq Muin who is charged
with offering Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra Gus Dur's clemency in
return for money. The youngest son of former ruler Soeharto had
been sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Tommy paid Rp 15 billion (US$1.79 million) to Gus Dur's close
aide, Raden Dodi Sumadi, but Gus Dur rejected the clemency
request.

Witness Noer Muhammad Iskandar SQ earlier testified that Gus
Dur barely knew about the scheme nor the financial arrangements
that followed.

A patron of the National Awakening Party (PKB), Gus Dur has
openly declared his ambition to contest the upcoming direct
presidential election and has traveled to garner support.

Also a witness in the case, Tommy's elder sister Siti
Hardiyanti "Tutut" Indra Rukmana skipped trial three times for
events related to her likely nomination as presidential candidate
for the Concern for the National Functional Party (PKPB).

Presiding judge Saparudin Hasibuan is yet to subpoena both
witnesses, adjourning the hearing until March 18.