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.