Ismail Saleh launches book about his legal career

JAKARTA (JP): Former attorney general and justice minister Ismail Saleh launched a book on Saturday in commemoration of his 70th birthday.

Ismail Saleh's 70th Birthday: From Serious to Light Moments compiles 51 articles about him and his career written by 51 well- known figures in the country.

The contributors are Ismail's former superiors, employees, friends, government officials, a former prisoner, his critics, lawyers and journalists.

Among them are former vice president Sudharmono, State Minister/State Secretary Moerdiono, State Minister of National Development Planning Ginandjar Kartasasmita, Attorney General Singgih and former home affairs minister Gen.(ret.) Rudini.

Others include lawyer T. Mulya Lubis, senior journalist Goenawan Mohamad and Arswendo Atmowiloto -- the chief editor of the defunct Monitor tabloid who was once jailed for slandering Prophet Muhammad.

Several foreign dignitaries also contributed to the book, including former Chinese Minister of Justice Cai Cheng.

A number of the contributors were among the 100 people attending Ismail's birthday party at the Attorney General's Office.

The book is about Ismail's career and his views on legal matters. It also details his achievements from his days as a soldier during the independence war in the 1940s until he became attorney general and finally minister of justice.

The 533-page book was published by the Tridaya Foundation and edited by journalists Lerman Sipayung from the Suara Karya daily, Abun Sanda from Kompas and Suhartono from Jakarta Jakarta magazine.

Ismail said he decided against writing an autobiography because he was too old to recall his past. (16)