Suit against Sutiyoso to continue

JAKARTA: The Central Jakarta District Court ruled on Monday to allow a class action filed against Governor Sutiyoso over widespread evictions by the city administration to proceed.

Eight people, claiming to represent 15,000 low-income Jakartans including pedicab drivers, buskers and street vendors, also sued the city police chief and the city military commander for backing the evictions.

"The court has the authority to try this case, therefore, the case should be continued," presiding judge I Nengah Suriada said.

He also called upon the administration to halt evictions against the poor during the fasting month of Ramadhan.

About 200 people attending the hearing began applauding after the judge delivered his ruling.

During the hearing, Suriada also announced that someone had attacked his car, which was parked in the court's yard, on Oct.19. He suspected that the incident might have something to do with the case. --JP