Legal Aid Foundation delays graffiti removal
Legal Aid Foundation delays graffiti removal
JAKARTA (JP): Members of the Legal Aid Foundation refrained yesterday from removing the obscene graffiti that was scrawled on the exterior of their office building, saying that police would still need the graffiti as material evidence.
One of the foundation's lawyers, Rita Serena Kolibonso, said more than 30 of the foundation's clients and sympathizers, including non-governmental organization activists, had voluntarily gathered at the office to help scrub and repaint the walls that were sullied by vandals last Thursday.
After a short briefing, she said, they decided to postpone the cleaning and repainting until Wednesday.
"We didn't ask them to come. They came here of their own volition, maybe after reading the news reports," said Rita.
Some 15 police officers carrying rattan sticks roamed around the building yesterday, although it was unclear what exactly they were guarding against.
Director of the foundation Luhut Pangaribuan said that the words spray-painted were not likely written by street kids in a random act of petty vandalism.
"This was deliberate and clearly planned," he said.
Members of the foundation (LBH), located on Jl. Diponegoro 74, Central Jakarta, immediately reported the sighting to the Menteng police office, which later took the necessary notes and photographs.
Maj. Anis Angkawijaya told The Jakarta Post by phone yesterday, however, that he gave permission to have the walls cleaned immediately after learning of the incident last Thursday.
He seemed surprised to hear that the graffiti still had not been scrubbed from the walls as of yesterday. "We have checked the place and taken the necessary photographs. There is no reason for them to delay cleaning up the place," he said.
Two LBH security guards that were on duty at the time of the incident were questioned by police yesterday and Rita and a number of other staff are scheduled for a questioning today.
The Antara news agency quoted Luhut as saying last week that many of the foundation's sympathizers have suggested leaving the graffiti as evidence of the "insincere, irresponsible and cowardly act" perpetrated by unknown parties on the Legal Aid Foundation.
Rita was in agreement and suspects that this was a threat carried out by people not in favor of the bold actions taken by LBH over the last couple months.
"It has no impact on us because we believe we are a part of the group of people that are fighting for justice," she declared. "I am sure the people are still on our side and will be with us all the way." (pwn)