Komnas HAM hopefuls fail first test

Komnas HAM hopefuls fail first test

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): A public debate on Monday concluded that
Bali's four candidates for National Commission on Human Rights
(Komnas HAM) posts failed their first test of credibility.

A poll at the end of the event revealed that some 100
attendants wanted other candidates, with prominent social
activist Putu Wirata, who chaired the Bali Corruption Watch (BCW)
and the local chapter of Alliance of Independent Journalists
(AJI), and outspoken political activist Ngurah Karyadi topping
the list.

The survey also unveiled that the majority of participants
considered the candidates to be lacking vision in human rights
and credibility.

Speaking at the meeting were Komnas HAM nominees Putu Suta
Sadnyana, Erwin Siregar and Benny Sutedja. The other candidate,
Dewa Putu Sukarja, skipped the event, which was organized by the
Bali chapter of AJI.

The four were among 78 candidates from all over the country
who met the administrative requirements. They will undergo a fit-
and-proper test early in August before being officially nominated
to Komnas HAM.

Sadnyana and Erwin are both defense lawyers specializing in
narcotic and civil cases, while Benny is a former Army
intelligence officer and accountant at state-run oil company
Pertamina. Sukarja is a retired police officer.

Some 20 participants who had a chance to speak at the event
said they were skeptical about the candidates' capability in
carrying out such heavy responsibilities as Komnas HAM members.
The participants also accused the candidates of having no record
of involvement in human rights promotion in the province.

"Where were they when giant investors with the help of the
government and the Army drove hundreds of farmers from their land
in Pecatu, or fishermen from Serangan island. They should have
fought along with the farmers and fishermen," noted activist
Chusmeru said.

Female rights activist Erna said Erwin was not a human rights
defender because he had agreed to a job as a lawyer for a company
that had dismissed her and her colleagues because they were
trying to establish a union.

"He did nothing to defend us when the company orchestrated our
dismissals for groundless and unjustified reasons," Erna told the
floor.

Erwin admitted that he provided legal services for numerous
companies, but he denied Erna's allegation. (zen)