Law expert justifies anti-corruption team

JAKARTA (JP): Law expert Loebby Loqman justified on Wednesday the establishment of a team to investigate corruption cases pending the establishment of a commission in two years time.

Loebby, testifying in a pretrial hearing which looked into the legality of the work of the Joint-Anti Corruption Team (TGPTPK), described the team as "a stepping stone" before the commission is set up and begins its work.

The hearing at the South Jakarta District Court followed a lawsuit filed by two justices of the Supreme Court. They are demanding that the court declares TGPTPK's corruption investigation against them as illegal.

The two justices, Supraptini Sutarto and Marnis Kahar, were named by the team in August as suspects in a Rp 196 million (US$22,500) bribery scandal which has now been referred to the Attorney General's Office.

Loebby, a professor of criminal law at the University of Indonesia was summoned as an expert witness for the plaintiffs.

He declined to give his opinion whether or not the TGPTPK had the legal authority to conduct the investigation. "I don't have any knowledge of TGPTPK's working procedures," he said.

Loebby said the establishment of an anti-corruption commission would be in compliance with the 1999 Law on Corruption which he helped draft.

The commission, however, would only be formed in 2002 after lengthy studies and preparations, he said. "TGPTPK was founded as a bridge leading to the commission," he said.

TGPTPK -- comprising 25 members drawn from the police, the legal profession and public figures -- initially is targeting the courts for its corruption investigations.

Former justice Adi Andojo, who heads the team, announced on Aug. 21 that the team had sufficient evidence to refer three serving and former justices of the Supreme Court for further investigation by the Attorney General's Office.

The third person implicated, former justice M. Yahya Harahap, did not join the motion to file the lawsuit against TGPTPK.

Lawyer John Waliry representing the plaintiffs said TGPTPK had overstepped its authority because such an investigation should have been conducted by the police or state prosecutors.

Tigor Pangaribuan representing TGPTPK said that the corruption investigation was conducted by police officers and state prosecutors in the team.

Judge Rusmandani adjourned the hearing until Friday. (01)