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)