Students want Soewito fired

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi (JP): Law students from Hasanuddin University have sent a letter to the Supreme Court demanding the dismissal of the head of the Makassar District Court.

The letter, dated Feb. 24, 2000, was a follow-up to a series of protests against Makassar District Court Chief Soewito whom the students blame for acquitting too many of those charged with corruption.

"We're frustrated. It's not easy to find justice in Makassar. That's why we look to the Supreme Court," Sultan Idris chairman of the Hasanuddin University Law Students Council said.

Idris called on the Supreme Court to establish a team to investigate Soewito.

"His verdicts only legitimizes and protects corruption among Makassar officials," Idris said. "Maybe after Soewito's dismissal we can (again) find justice here."

Among the controversial cases in question was that of former Golkar legislator Nurdin Chalid who was acquitted of charges of swindling Rp 115 billion in state funds.(27/sur)