Kaligis laments Oka's 'trial by press'

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Defense lawyer OC Kaligis expressed concern here on Saturday night over local media's coverage of his client former Bali governor Ida Bagus Oka, who is facing charges of alleged corruption in the Rp 2.3 billion Bali Dwipa Foundation (YDB) case.

"The local media here is acting as if they are all chief justices," Kaligis charged.

"This is a systematical character assassination conducted by the media with Ida Bagus Oka as the target," he said.

Oka, who was governor of the holiday resort island for 10- years from 1988 to 1998, had also served as minister of population in the Cabinet of former president B.J. Habibie.

Oka has been detained at Kerobokan State Penitentiary since Wednesday.

The case's primary suspect, YDB executive director N. Sugiri has been detained since May.

Ida Bagus Oka's family recently hired the noted defense lawyer and his associates, namely Purwaning M. Yanuar, and Ida Bagus Suryawijaya.

The former governor's defense was previously handled by local lawyers Suryatin Lijaya, Nyoman Putera and Warsa T. Bhuwana.

Oka was implicated in the case after N. Sugiri alleged that much of the foundation's missing funds went to Oka personally, including Rp 200 million that was reportedly used to pay for a brand new white Mercedes-Benz for Oka's son.

Kaligis stressed to reporters that there remains little or no substantial evidence to tie Oka with the case.

He pointed out that Oka was not involved in the day-to-day management of the foundation and there was not a single additional witness to corroborate Sugiri's testimony.

"Since there isn't any solid evidence we will ask the prosecutors office to immediately issue a letter which will officially terminate the ongoing investigation into Oka's involvement in the case," he said. (zen)