Hearings on slander cases continue

JAKARTA (JP): The judges in the trial of a student charged with insulting the Armed Forces (ABRI) told the Central Jakarta District Court yesterday the prosecutor's indictment was legally correct.

"For this reason I decided to continue trying defendant Indra Gunawan," Presiding Judge I.G.K. Sukarata said.

Prosecutor Limbong said the 24-year-old Indra, who was a Jakarta Institute of Social and Political Science student, slandered the government and ABRI when he sung songs and changed the lyrics during a free speech forum at the Indonesian Democratic Party's (PDI) headquarters on June 21.

"The songs turned out to be contemptuous," Limbong said.

The prosecutor said the words to ABRI's official hymn and children's song were changed into lyrics offensive to ABRI and the government.

The prosecutor said Indra, together with his friends, sat in front of the PDI headquarters and sang a song insulting President Soeharto's family to the children's song's theme.

If found guilty, Indra faces a maximum seven years jail for sowing hatred against the government.

Indra was also accused of slandering the authorities, an offense that carries a maximum 18 months jail.

The judges said they could not accept defense lawyer Paulus Mahulete's objection because it involved an argument central to the case. Judge Sukarata said the argument could be raised in the defense statement.

The trial was adjourned until next week to hear witnesses.

Meanwhile the trial of housewife Nurhayati, 44, also charged with slandering ABRI continued in a separate court room.

Sergeant (Police) Hamid testified he heard the defendant's alleged slanderous remarks.

"I heard her mentioning the acronym ABRI, which was being twisted into a slanderous statement," Hamid said.

Presiding Judge Gatam Taridi appeared doubtful of Hamid's statements' truth and warned him to be careful of what he said in the testimony.

The prosecution said Nurhayati, a staunch supporter of Megawati Soekarnoputri, the ousted PDI chairwoman, made the slanderous remarks during a free speech forum at the party's headquarters in June.

Defense lawyer Alex Paat asked Hamid whether Nurhayati aimed her words at certain individuals who might have been offended.

"Nobody," Hamid said.

The trial continues on Thursday. (07/05)