Preacher suing Indocement over land

JAKARTA (JP): The South Jakarta District Court began hearing a lawsuit filed by a reverend against PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa on Thursday.

Joshua Alwin Tirtaatmadja has accused the company of illegally occupying 5,000 square meters of his land in Citereup, Bogor.

PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa is a giant cement factory owned by businessman Sudwikatmono.

Joshua is seeking Rp 1.06 billion (US$481,818) in compensation which consists of Rp 1 billion for 5,000 square meters of land and Rp 60 million for the rebuilding of a church.

In his lawsuit, Joshua said that he has 10,845 square meters of land, 5,000 square meters of which is occupied by the company.

The priest said the company also pulled down a church that stood on the site.

"The demolition of the church was a big loss that cannot be compensated with money," he stated in the lawsuit.

Presiding judge Sutrisno urged that the plaintiff talk directly to the executives of PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa to settle the dispute out of court. The suggestion was rejected and the court procedures will continue.

The plaintiff's lawyer, Edie Budi Prasetyo, said his client has tried to negotiate with executives of PT Indocement since 1986. He added that the defendant's only response has been a letter stating: "Let's hope that the Puspanegara road and church construction can run well."

"So far, PT Indocement Tunggal Prakarsa has done nothing for Joshua," he pointed out.

The judge adjourned the trial until Oct. 12. (29)