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.