KPI members tried for illegal tenancy

KPI members tried for illegal tenancy

JAKARTA: The trial of six members of the Indonesian Seafarers
Union (KPI) central board started on Monday on charges of
illegally occupying the union's office building in Cikini,
Central Jakarta.

The Central Jakarta District Court, however, has adjourned the
hearing until Nov. 17, because the defendants are still at sea.

Prosecutor M. Manik told reporters that the defendants were
charged of violating Article 167 of the Criminal Code for
illegally entering and occupying others' properties. The article
carries a maximum sentence of 16 months in jail.

The case was filed by the outgoing KPI central board, led by
Iskandar Ilahude, who was ousted during the union's extraordinary
meeting in April 2001. He was said unfit for the post, as he was
also an official with the communications ministry. -- JP