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)