Lawyers -- devils or angles?

Indonesian lawyers have become the center of attention lately. Many people have questioned their integrity, due to the legal process against Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, who has been accused of masterminding the killing of Supreme Court Justice Syafiuddin Kartasasmita last year.

Tommy's lawyers, Elza Syarif, has allegedly tried to bribe witnesses and Syafiuddin, who led Tommy's trial (for corruption) last year.

The issue is not easy as a lawyer has his or her association, which has its own code of ethics.

The Elza Syarif case has become an interesting issue because she will be tried by an ad hoc honorary council.

The trial is likely to become an interesting discourse, whether or not it is capable of revealing a lawyer's bad practices.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta