Minibus driver trial will proceed

Minibus driver trial will proceed

JAKARTA (JP): Judge Soemarjono of the North Jakarta District Court decided yesterday to dismiss the defense's request to wave charges against Ramses Silitonga, a Metromini bus driver who was behind the wheel when his bus plunged into the Sunter river in North Jakarta last year killing 33 passengers.

During the previous trial Ramses's lawyer, Victor Siahaan, requested that the judge annul the indictment of H.P.W. Soekewi, the prosecutor who has charged Ramses with murder, on the grounds that the charge was tendentious and exaggerated.

Siahaan said that it was the first time in the history of Indonesian law that someone involved in a traffic accident had been charged with murder. "It is unprecedented, and therefore we strongly reject the charges," he said.

The prosecutor, however, said that an indictment could only be dismissed if it misidentified the defendant or if it was proffered in a court lacking jurisdiction to hear the trial.

Judge Soemarjono was quoted by Antara yesterday as saying that the board of judges agreed with the prosecutor's argument that the defense request is groundless.

The judge then decided to proceed according to Soekewi's indictment and to continue with the examination of witnesses.

It is alleged that on March 6 last year, Ramses drove a Metromini (smaller-sized) bus along Jl. Yos Sudarso in North Jakarta at a speed of between 80 and 90 kilometers per hour. According to the prosecution case, he continued speeding despite pleas from the conductor, Pontas Pakpahan, and a number of passengers that reminded him that there were children aboard.

The prosecution claims that Ramses then lost control of the bus which, shortly afterwards, plunged into the Sunter River.

Twenty people died at the accident scene immediately, another 13 later in the hospital and 13 were injured.

Ramses, 33, evaded the police and went into hiding in North Sumatra, his home province. Police finally managed to arrest the culprit in August, despite an attempt made by Ramses to change his identity.

Police said Ramses had been living in the village of Tanjung Mulia in the Kampung Rakyat district, Labuhan Batu regency. He had been working for PT Pemudjur, a timber mill, under the name of Ucok Sitompul.

Judge Soemarjono adjourned the trial until Jan. 26. (mas)