Thu, 05 Jul 2001

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)