Police to decide officers' fate in libel case

Police to decide officers' fate in libel case

Abdul Khalik and P.C. Naommy, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The National Police are continuing the legal process against Adj.
Sr. Comr. Tito Karnavian and Adj. Comr. Ponadi for allegedly
submitting fraudulent documents as evidence in a libel suit filed
by businessman Tomy Winata against Tempo news magazine.

"The dossiers on the two officers have been completed and
handed over to the Professional Conduct and Security Division
(Propam), which will propose the punishments for them," said
National Police deputy spokesman Brig. Gen. Soenarko on Monday.

Both Tito and Ponadi were declared suspects in October.

"We must wait for the results of Propam's investigation before
the punishments are decided on. They might be administrative
punishments, disciplinary committee trial or public trial. It
depends on the violations," said Soenarko.

Tempo lawyers filed a complaint in September with the National
Police over the use of allegedly fraudulent documents signed by
Tito and Ponadi for use as evidence by Jakarta Police
investigators in the libel suit.

Meanwhile, Leo Batubara, a member of the Press Council and
business manager of the Suara Karya daily, told the South Jakarta
District Court that the libel charges filed by Tomy Winata over
press allegations that he was running a gambling business in
Southeast Sulawesi were unfounded.

He said the article published in Koran Tempo daily had
fulfilled the requirements set out in the journalistic code of
ethics and did not incriminate Tomy, as the word "allegedly" had
been used throughout.

Presiding judge Zoeber Djajadi adjourned the hearing to Dec.
29 to hear another defense witness.