'Tempo' sues lawyer for slander

'Tempo' sues lawyer for slander

JAKARTA: The weekly magazine Tempo has countersued lawyer
Lucas, saying he damaged the magazine's reputation and obstructed
press freedom.

Tempo deputy chief editor Toriq Hadad said on Monday the
complaint followed Lucas' statement in its June 30 edition that
Tempo reporters were paid to make him look bad.

Tempo's article implied that Lucas was involved in the alleged
engineered bankruptcy verdict of insurance company PT Asuransi
Jiwa Manulife Indonesia.

The lawyer refused to be interviewed despite repeated attempts
by Tempo, the article said.

Toriq said: "He denied us access and this obstructed press
freedom."

Lucas, who filed a police complaint against the magazine on
June 24 for defamation relating to the allegations, could not be
reached for comment. -- JP