Labor lawsuit is legal, lawyers say

JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers of the Teater Buruh Indonesia (Indonesian Labor Theater Group) told the Jakarta State Administrative Court judge yesterday that their lawsuit against the head of the City Directorate of Social and Political Affairs is legal.

"Based on witness testimony and material evidence, the head of the City Directorate of Social and Political Affairs refused to issue a letter allowing the group to perform," said Eben Eser Naibaho, one of the group's lawyers, urging the judge to accept their lawsuit.

The theater group has filed a lawsuit against Bagus Suharyono, head of the City Directorate of Social and Political Affairs, whom they accuse of banning their performance of play entitled Senandung Terpuruk dari balik Tembok Pabrik (Miserable Symphony from behind the Factory Wall) in May.

Besides refusing to issue the recommendation, Bagus, through his letter No.360/078.6, even revoked letters of recommendation obtained by the group from the City Office of Cultural Affairs and the City Tourism Office.

The lawyers argued that the city directorate did not have the authority to refuse a letter of recommendation. (29)