Sudomo and Siska did not show up in divorce trial
Sudomo and Siska did not show up in divorce trial
JAKARTA (JP): Neither retired admiral Sudomo, the head of the
Supreme Advisory Council (DPA), nor his wife Fransiska Diah
Widowati, showed up for their divorce trial at the South Jakarta
district court yesterday.
The highly anticipated presence of news maker Sudomo and his
wife fizzled yesterday as both sent their respective lawyers to
appear before the court instead.
"Yes, I will try again next week," presiding judge Soedjatman
said when asked if he would again try to bring the two before the
court.
When queried on the contents of yesterday's closed proceedings
Soedjatman would not reveal much, saying that Fransiska's counsel
delivered her answer to Sudomo's divorce plea.
Sudomo, who was then Coordinating Minister of Political
Affairs and Security, married Fransiska Widowati at Paulus
church, Central Jakarta, on Sept. 20, 1990, in a ceremony
witnessed by several senior government officials including the
then Minister of Defense and Security, L.B. Moerdani, and Chief
Justice Ali Said.
This was the second marriage for both Sudomo, 68, and
Fransiska, 36, with the groom previously divorced with four
children from Fransisca Piay.
Despite the more than 30-year age gap, the newly wed couple
seemed happy, showing no signs of tension even when Fransiska
left for a three-month study in France in July.
In a startling turn of events Sudomo filed a divorce suit
claiming irreconcilable differences early last month. Sudomo
himself handed the case documents to Soedjatman who is also head
of the South Jakarta district court.
In the past few months Sudomo has also been in the center of
controversy with his alleged role in the US$620 million Bapindo
Bank scandal.
Though neither one of the lawyers would comment, M.P.
Mahendra, who is representing Fransiska, revealed that at present
Fransiska is still in France.
"I have not met with her (Fransiska)...someone on her behalf
gave the me authority to represent her," he said without
revealing the identity of that person.
Reconciliation
Though the court would like to have both parties present at
the trial in an attempt to reconciliate the couple, judge
Soedjatman admitted that Fransiska was not bound to attend the
court proceedings.
"Since she has mandated a representative to the court she is
thus not obligated to come," he explained.
Yane T., the lawyer from the O.C. Kaligis law firm
representing Sudomo, refused to comment on her clients next move.
However Soedjatman revealed that if Sudomo declines to respond
to Fransiska's reply, the proceedings would then move forth to
witness testimony.
Djurnetty S. a member of yesterday's panel of judges said she
believed that next weeks proceedings will go directly to
testimonies.
"I don't think Pak (Mr.) Domo will give another reply...it
looks like it will go straight to the examination of witnesses."
Pak Domo is a popular name of the retired admiral.
The divorce suit was adjourned until Friday. (mds)
JAKARTA (JP): Neither retired admiral Sudomo, the head of the
Supreme Advisory Council (DPA), nor his wife Fransiska Diah
Widowati, showed up for their divorce trial at the South Jakarta
district court yesterday.
The highly anticipated presence of news maker Sudomo and his
wife fizzled yesterday as both sent their respective lawyers to
appear before the court instead.
"Yes, I will try again next week," presiding judge Soedjatman
said when asked if he would again try to bring the two before the
court.
When queried on the contents of yesterday's closed proceedings
Soedjatman would not reveal much, saying that Fransiska's counsel
delivered her answer to Sudomo's divorce plea.
Sudomo, who was then Coordinating Minister of Political
Affairs and Security, married Fransiska Widowati at Paulus
church, Central Jakarta, on Sept. 20, 1990, in a ceremony
witnessed by several senior government officials including the
then Minister of Defense and Security, L.B. Moerdani, and Chief
Justice Ali Said.
This was the second marriage for both Sudomo, 68, and
Fransiska, 36, with the groom previously divorced with four
children from Fransisca Piay.
Despite the more than 30-year age gap, the newly wed couple
seemed happy, showing no signs of tension even when Fransiska
left for a three-month study in France in July.
In a startling turn of events Sudomo filed a divorce suit
claiming irreconcilable differences early last month. Sudomo
himself handed the case documents to Soedjatman who is also head
of the South Jakarta district court.
In the past few months Sudomo has also been in the center of
controversy with his alleged role in the US$620 million Bapindo
Bank scandal.
Though neither one of the lawyers would comment, M.P.
Mahendra, who is representing Fransiska, revealed that at present
Fransiska is still in France.
"I have not met with her (Fransiska)...someone on her behalf
gave the me authority to represent her," he said without
revealing the identity of that person.
Reconciliation
Though the court would like to have both parties present at
the trial in an attempt to reconciliate the couple, judge
Soedjatman admitted that Fransiska was not bound to attend the
court proceedings.
"Since she has mandated a representative to the court she is
thus not obligated to come," he explained.
Yane T., the lawyer from the O.C. Kaligis law firm
representing Sudomo, refused to comment on her clients next move.
However Soedjatman revealed that if Sudomo declines to respond
to Fransiska's reply, the proceedings would then move forth to
witness testimony.
Djurnetty S. a member of yesterday's panel of judges said she
believed that next weeks proceedings will go directly to
testimonies.
"I don't think Pak (Mr.) Domo will give another reply...it
looks like it will go straight to the examination of witnesses."
Pak Domo is a popular name of the retired admiral.
The divorce suit was adjourned until Friday. (mds)