Supreme Court to issue verdict on Golkar today
Supreme Court to issue verdict on Golkar today
JAKARTA (JP): The Supreme Court will rule on Tuesday whether
the Golkar Party must be dissolved as a result of alleged
violations committed during the last general election.
The court was scheduled to present its verdict on Monday but
presiding justice Asma Samik Ibrahim delayed the decision for one
day on the grounds that the Supreme Court was still mourning the
death of Justice M. Syaifuddin Kartasasmita.
"We have reached our verdict but the death of our colleague
Syafiuddin has caused us deep sorrow. So, we have decided to
postpone the reading of the verdict until 9 a.m. tomorrow
(Tuesday)," Asma said.
He then called for a minute of silence to pray for Syafiuddin
before leaving the courtroom.
Golkar is facing a suit filed by several non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) demanding dissolution of the party. The
plaintiffs charge that Golkar received funds in the last general
election exceeding the amount allowed by political parties.
Article 14 of Law No. 2/1999 stipulates that a political party
is not allowed to receive personal donations exceeding Rp 15
million, or donations from private companies, legal bodies, or
organizations in excess of Rp 150 million.
Lawyer R.O. Tambunan, on behalf of the NGOs, accused Golkar of
having received some Rp 90 billion from the State Logistics
Agency (Bulog), Rp 15 billion from Bank Bali and Rp 1 billion
from the former Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) chief, AA
Baramuli.
Tambunan also charged the Golkar Party with violating Article
9 of the same law for failing to promote democracy, honesty and
fairness in the 1999 general election.
If found guilty, the Supreme Court may dissolve the party or
disqualify it from the 2004 general election.
Two prominent witnesses, Minister of Finance Rizal Ramli and
Minister of Defense Mahfud M.D, who were the first to make public
statements about Golkar's alleged violations, failed to appear
before the court.
Outside the courtroom on Monday, hundreds of Golkar supporters
and opponents held peaceful demonstrations. The court building
was kept under tight security, guarded by police and military
officers.
Chief Justice Bagir Manan dismissed speculation that the
verdict was delayed due to threats received by the justices.
Separately, Golkar Party chairman Akbar Tandjung said that his
party would respect any verdict.
"We will appreciate and obey the Supreme Court's decision,"
Akbar said, as quoted by Antara. (tso)