LBH answers military charges

LBH answers military charges

SURABAYA, East Java: The local chapter of the Indonesian Legal
Aid Foundation (LBH), threatened by a military lawsuit for
slander, is calling for an improvement in worker welfare.

LBH director Indro Sugiarto reminded Commander of the
Brawijaya Military Command Maj. Gen. Imam Utomo that the military
should consider the political effects of the planned lawsuit.

"He should be brave (enough to risk) the political effects of
the lawsuit," he was quoted by Antara as saying. "The most
important thing is (not the lawsuit but the) improvement of the
workers' situation."

The foundation last week accused the military of using
violence in dispersing a recent labor protest in the town of
Jombang. More than 20 workers were reportedly injured in the
incident.

The military denied the allegation and threatened to sue the
foundation. (swe)