JAKARTA (JP): Vice President Try Sutrisno has urged prosecutors, judges and all law enforcement agencies to be on the alert against parties who want to manipulate loops within the legal system for their own interests.

Try has ordered government prosecutors to go after white collar criminals because they are creating huge losses for taxpayers and the government.

"In recent years we have seen an increase in the number of economic crimes and violations of law in more and more sophisticated methods," he said.

He added this includes abuses of power, corruption and collusion between the corrupt officials and businessmen.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the prosecutors' congress at the Merdeka Selatan Palace yesterday, Try said "Most of the economic crimes have occurred in the fields of finance, banking and taxation. Luckily this has not caused a leak in development funds."

Try also said that prosecutors should monitor and anticipate the increasing level violence in society.

He also urged public attorneys to sharpen their professional skills. He added that the ability to present evidence of a given crime is a decisive factor when the judge makes a decision."

Meanwhile, Attorney General Singgih stressed the need to improve the level of professionalism among public prosecutors so that the people can see that the law is maintained and justice is upheld.(prs)