Lopa praised for his integrity in law enforcement

Lopa praised for his integrity in law enforcement

JAKARTA (JP): President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice President
Megawati Soekarnoputri separately led a minute of silence,
eulogies poured in, from friends and foes alike, on Wednesday
following the reported death of Attorney General Baharuddin Lopa.

Whilst opening the National Scout Jamboree 2001 in Purwokerto,
Central Java, the President asked the nation to pray for Lopa who
died of heart failure in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Tuesday.

"Pak Lopa was a good man, therefore I hope that all boy scouts
copy him. And here, let's give him (Lopa) Al Fatihah," he said,
referring to the opening verses of the Koran.

Before chairing the Cabinet meeting at Bina Graha presidential
office, Megawati led a minute of silence to pray for the man who
was often called the 'crusader of justice'.

"All of the Cabinet members miss him, because under current
conditions we need a reformist like Pak Lopa," Coordinating
Minister for Political, Social and Security Affairs Gen. (ret.)
quoted the Vice President as saying during the brief ceremony.

The House of Representatives (DPR) Speaker, Akbar Tandjung,
who was one of the main targets of Lopa's investigations on
corruption charges, said he prayed for Lopa.

He described Lopa not just as the President's close ally, but
also as a strong and honest law enforcer.

"He was known for his integrity and we hope his successor can
follow his footsteps in upholding the law as Pak Baharuddin Lopa
planned to do," Akbar remarked.

"I think the death of Baharuddin Lopa may weaken Gus Dur,
because Lopa was persistent in defending him. That was very
obvious," Akbar said.

People's Consultative Assembly Speaker Amien Rais, who once
voiced his concern that Lopa might have been used by the
President in taming his opponents, also expressed his sadness.

"This is a great loss for us as there are not many people in
the country who are willing to take a chance to fight for
justice," Amien said.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Bagir Manan expressed his loss of
a friend with whom he had a plan to bring together the vision of
the two institutions in handling corruption, human rights and
drugs cases.

"Pak Bagir, we cannot stop, not even for one minute, to
reinforce the law. That is why nothing can stop me from
doing my job'," Bagir recalled, referring to how Lopa recently
described his professional mission.

Eggy Sudjana, president of the Indonesian Muslim Workers
Brotherhood (PPMI), who recently led a demonstration against Lopa
and disclosed his shortcomings as Indonesian ambassador to Saudi
Arabia, showed his sadness for Lopa's death.

When asked about the demonstration he led two weeks ago, Eggy
replied: "The protest was just a warning because I respect him".

Secretary-general of the National Commission on Human Rights
(Komnas HAM), Asmara Nababan, conveyed his wariness that without
Lopa, the big cases being handled by Lopa would soon be
forgotten.

"We are greatly weakened, because when Lopa was appointed
attorney general, people hoped they would finally see justice
upheld," said Asmara about his predecessor in the commission.

Makassar

In the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar, Muslims held Sholat
Gaib (special prayers) for Lopa soon after they completed their
noon prayers at Al Markaz Al Ilami Grand Mosque on Wednesday.

They said Lopa was one of the best sons of the province. Lopa
was seen by the people of Makassar as a man who upheld the
principle of keeping to one's word.

Mawardi, one of the congregation said that the prayers were to
respect Lopa, who completed his law studies at Hasanuddin
University in Makassar.

People also visited Lopa's residence on Jl. Merdeka to express
their condolences. Many of them sent faxes to local radio
stations for a similar purpose.

Jusuf Kalla, a prominent businessman from South Sulawesi, said
that the nation had lost one of its best sons.

"To me Lopa was intrepid, clean, honest and very capable,"
said Kalla, who was minister of industry and trade. "I am really
sad. He was expected to uphold law in this country. We will find
it difficult to find another man like Lopa." (team)