Hercules, 'Matra' to settle out of court

JAKARTA: The lawyers of plaintiff Hercules and Matra magazine agreed on Thursday to seek an out-of-court settlement over a defamation lawsuit.

The South Jakarta District Court appointed judge Asnah Waty as mediator.

Presiding judge Effendy adjourned the trial until the disputing parties reached a decision.

Hercules, leader of a well-known gang who made their name in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, filed a lawsuit against the magazine, which ran a special report on the area.

In a side article, the magazine outlined Hercules' story, which, according to the plaintiff, was inaccurate and defamed him. Hercules demanded that Matra pay him Rp 2 billion (US$217,391) in punitive damages. -- JP