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)