Rights body may reopen probe into Marsinah case
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) has uncovered enough new information to reopen the investigation into the 1993 slaying of female labor activist Marsinah, a Komnas HAM member said.
"We have found significant information around Marsinah's killing, that is why we have informed President (Megawati Soekarnoputri) of our intention to carry out a fresh round of investigations," Bambang W. Soeharto told The Jakarta Post on Friday.
Komnas HAM chairman Djoko Sugianto met with the President on Thursday to inform her of the commission's plan to reopen the investigation into Marsinah's killing. Megawati, according to Djoko, has thrown her full support behind the commission.
Labor activist Marsinah was found dead near Nganjuk, East Java, on May 9, 1993, after leading a strike at PT Catur Putra Surya, a watch factory in Sidoarjo, East Java. Her badly mutilated body showed signs of torture and rape.
None of the eight defendants brought to trial for the murder were convicted. Many people suspect security forces were involved in the murder.
Komnas HAM launched an investigation into the slaying in 1994, with team members including the late Baharuddin Lopa, current commission chairman Djoko Soegianto and Bambang. Heavily overshadowed by the police investigation, the probe failed to yield any clear results.
Bambang said Komnas HAM would establish a team to follow up its previous investigation, as well as its monitoring of the police investigation and the trial.
"Should the team find physical evidence indicating crimes against humanity, Komnas HAM will form an inquiry team," he said.
According to Bambang, some of the recently obtained information was puzzling but matched with facts from the field.
"We have to be very prudent in this matter ... it is the concern of the international community. We will study all the information we have to find a weakness where we can start the investigation," he said.
Bambang said the commission completed its reports on the case two years ago, but delayed plans to reopen investigation because there were more immediate cases that had to be dealt with.
"We are optimistic about unraveling the case ... the commission is obliged to find the murderers. Moreover, we believe that even though it takes time to do the work, the truth will be found," he said.
Meanwhile, Brawijaya Military Commander Maj. Gen. A.D. Sikki said on Friday he fully supported the reopening of the Marsinah probe, adding that if any military personnel were involved in the 1993 murder, they would not be protected by his office.
"But it is my hope that the investigative team will not corner any members of the military command ... the results of the investigation will not be easily believed," Sikki was quoted by Antara as saying.
Meanwhile, the East Java Police tried passing the ball to the Supreme Court, claiming on Friday that Marsinah's family had found new evidence and were awaiting the results of a Supreme Court review of the case.
"The police have done their job in this case. We have done our best," East Java Police chief Brig. Gen. Heru Susanto was quoted by Antara as saying.
This was, however, denied by Supreme Court secretary-general Gunanto S. on Friday, who said that to his knowledge the case had never come to the attention of the Supreme Court.
"No, I believe this case has never entered the books of the Supreme Court," Gunanto told the Post on Friday.