Haze gives court mood transplant

Haze gives court mood transplant

JAKARTA (JP): The ubiquitous haze from forest fires made a
Jambi district court room resemble a hospital operating room
yesterday as judges, prosecutors and the public all wore masks.

The unusual scene occurred at the trial of a 34-year-old
businessman who was charged with falsifying a contract.

The council of judges, led by Ali Syaripuddin, and public
prosecutor Sihombing had to speak louder into the microphone to
make themselves heard.

"The smog is getting worse. It is so bad we have to wear
protective masks," Syaripuddin was quoted by Antara as saying.

In Jambi, visibility was 30 meters yesterday. Vehicles had to
go slowly with their lights on. Many people could not go out
without protective masks. (pan)