Lawyers rush to back Hafidz

JAKARTA (JP): Lawyers are preparing a defense for Wardah Hafidz, the coordinator of the Urban Poor Consortium (UPC) who could face legal action brought by a political party she accused of misusing social safety net funds.

Hendardi, who will coordinate the defense team, said in a statement that lawyers from three non-governmental organizations and a human rights organization would work on the case.

"The team was set up to defend Hafidz in the event of any legal action brought by People's Sovereignty Party chairman Latief Burhan," he said.

Hendardi explained that Hafidz's investigation into misuse of social safety net funds should receive support from the public. "His investigation should be seen as a significant effort by a member of the public to take action against serious malpractice," he said.

He said the party's plan to report Hafidz to the police contradicted its election manifesto, which promotes the interests of common people.

If the party wanted to put its rhetoric into practice then it would have to be prepared to accept censure from the public, he added.

Hendardi also said the legal team had urged the authorities to make use of Hafidz's findings in a full investigation of the party's campaigning activities. (hhr)