'Nothing libelous in GM's remarks'

JAKARTA: Press Council member Sabam Leo Batubara testified on Thursday that there was nothing libelous in Goenawan Mohamad's statements in two articles published by Koran Tempo daily which prompted businessman Tomy Winata to file a suit.

The expert witness told the East Jakarta District Court that the Tempo weekly cofounder Goenawan merely exercised his right of free speech, in the heading Don't let the country fall into the hands of thugs, Tomy Winata (TW) published on March 12, 2003.

"In the statement Goenawan did not intend to equate Tomy with thugs, as the comma in the article means that the two are different entities.

"The article focussed more on criticism of the government and political parties, and one cannot be prosecuted for what he or she says about the two," he said.

Tomy sued both Koran Tempo and Goenawan for libel and is seeking Rp 21 billion (US$24.7 million) in compensation.

The court has issued an asset preservation order on Goenawan's house in Pulo Mas, East Jakarta, and the daily's office on Jl. Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. -- JP