Megawati on trial over PDI-P rift

Megawati on trial over PDI-P rift

JAKARTA: The South Jakarta District Court resumed the trial of former president Megawati Soekarnoputri on Thursday over the decision by her Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) to fire party treasurer Noviantika Nasution.

Noviantika is suing Megawati for Rp 100 billion (US$10.1 million) in material losses caused by the dismissal, which the plaintiff claimed was legally flawed.

She also demanded that the court order Megawati and her party to publish advertisements apologizing to the plaintiff in five national newspapers, five local dailies and five television stations for five consecutive days.

Apart from PDI-P leader Megawati, the defendants included party secretary-general Pramono Anung as well as the General Elections Commission, leaders of the House of Representatives and the People's Consultative Assembly and the President.

The PDI-P fired Noviantika for her alliance with the party's internal "Reform Movement", which opposes Megawati's leadership in one of the nation's largest parties.

Several other members of the anti-Megawati group, including Arifin Panigoro, Roy BB Janis and Sukowaluyo Mintohardjo, were also given their walking papers by the party. --detikcom