Ousted Megawati appeals district court decision
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)