Soebadio won't testify at his secretary's trial

JAKARTA (JP): Soebadio Sastrosatomo, the former leader of the defunct Indonesian Socialist Party, vowed yesterday he would not testify against his secretary who is standing trial for allegedly defaming President Soeharto.

The 78-year-old former parliamentarian said police should find other witnesses to testify against Buyung Rachmat Buchori Nasution.

"I don't want to do it. Isn't he in jail because of me?" Soebadio told prosecutor Moh. Yamin who met him and his lawyers at the Jakarta Prosecutors Office.

Soebadio wrote Era Baru, Pemimpin Baru (New Era, New Leader) which was later banned for allegedly defaming President Soeharto and the Armed Forces.

Buyung, who according to Soebadio only "helped type the book", was arrested in March and brought to trial earlier this month on charges of violating article 134 of the Criminal Code. If found guilty, he could be sentenced to a maximum six years in jail.

Buyung's team of lawyers from the Indonesian Legal Aid and Human Rights Association (PBHI) said their client was first charged with printing pamphlets which allegedly discredited the government and the Armed Forces. "Questioning by police quickly began focusing on his involvement in making the book," the association said.

Soebadio has not been arrested or charged. He was questioned by Jakarta police in May as a witness for the prosecution in the case.

Yesterday, Soebadio and his team of lawyers went to the prosecutors office to retract his testimony because he said it has been used to incriminate him as well.

In the indictment against Buyung, Soebadio was cited as another defendant, according to lawyer Trimedya Panjaitan.

"If Soebadio had really been charged and named another defendant, there must have been dossiers on him filed at the court. We checked, and found none," Trimedya said.

Moh. Yamin said the prosecutors' office did not have the authority to accept Soebadio's retraction.

"The case (against Buyung) is underway. It is awaiting the court's ruling on whether it will continue to be heard or not. If you wish to retract the testimony, you should do it in court," Yamin told Soebadio and his lawyers.

The South Jakarta District Court will issue the ruling Thursday. (aan)