'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