PKI members cleared to proceed with suit

JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta District Court ruled on Wednesday that former members of the now-outlawed Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) could proceed with a class-action lawsuit against the President.

"Presiding judge Cicut Sutiarso read the court's decision that the class-action suit was legal. He ordered that we make a public announcement and provide an opportunity to withdraw from the suit for those people who wish to do so," said a legal representative for the group, Uli Parulian.

Uli said this initial ruling on the suit would be followed by a more substantial evaluation scheduled for July 20.

Some 14 representatives of the former PKI members filed a class action last month against current President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and former presidents Soeharto, BJ Habibie, Abdurrahman Wahid and Megawati Soekarnoputri.

The group is demanding that their economic, social and cultural rights be restored and that the government annul any laws that discriminate against former party members. -- JP