Regent sues paper for libel

BITUNG, North Sulawesi: Bitung regent Milton Kansil filed a Rp 25 billion (US$ 3.125 million) defamation lawsuit on Tuesday against local daily Global News Manado. It was filed at Bitung district court by Milton's lawyer, James Karinda.

The suit was prompted after the daily ran a story alleging the regent had masterminded recently the arson of 13 ships at a quay belonging to PT Megah Galaxy.

Jeckried Maluengseng, the chief editor of the daily, said that the paper was ready to contest the lawsuit. -- JP