Ousted Megawati appeals district court decision
JAKARTA (JP): Megawati Soekarnoputri, ousted chairwoman of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI), filed an appeal yesterday over a district court's decision, which indicated its refusal to try her lawsuit against the government and her political foes.
"We believe the Central Jakarta District Court's panel of judges had made a blunder in applying the law," Megawati's lawyer, R.O. Tambunan, said.
Tambunan was referring to the Central Jakarta District Court's decision issued Thursday advising Megawati to settle her disputes with her rival, Soerjadi, at the party's upcoming mandatory congress scheduled for 1998.
He said it would be impossible for the Megawati camp to settle the dispute at the 1998 congress if it was organized by Soerjadi, whom she does not recognize.
"If the court said it doesn't have the authority to determine the legality of a political party's congress, it could mean anyone is free to hold a similar rebel congress," he argued.
The court also said Thursday it was beyond its authority to try Megawati's lawsuit against Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M., Armed Forces Chief Gen. Feisal Tanjung and National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo, whom she accused of backing the congress.
Tambunan said Megawati would soon file another lawsuit with the Jakarta State Administrative Court against the government officials, as the district court had suggested.
Megawati, the eldest daughter of Indonesia's founding president Sukarno, was ousted in the government-sanctioned congress in Medan in June.
The congress elected Soerjadi as the new PDI chairman, but Megawati insists the parley was illegal. She claims she remains the party's legitimate leader until 1998.
The leadership rivalry burst into an open conflict on July 27, when supporters of Soerjadi forcibly took over the PDI headquarters controlled by the Megawati camp.
The raid sparked riots in the capital, leaving at least four dead and over 100 injured. The government has accused the Democratic People's Party (PRD) of instigating the rioting.
PRD chairman, Budiman Sudjatmiko, has been detained along with leftist political activists in the aftermath of the rioting. All of them were charged under the Subversion Law, which carries a maximum penalty of death.
Separately, Deputy Attorney General on Special Crimes Yunan Samidji told reporters yesterday the suspects would be brought to trial next month.
"There are six dossiers altogether on 13 suspects, including Budiman Sudjatmiko and (labor leader) Muchtar Pakpahan," Yunan said.
As many as 124 supporters and sympathizers of Megawati will also be tried in a court here for their alleged involvement in the July rioting. (26)