Tommy and Saenah

Tommy and Saenah

A drama took place in the South Jakarta District Court last
Wednesday. Saenah, a simple servant, gave testimony implicating
the defendant Hutomo Mandala Putra, and in return received a
disguised threat from the youngest son of former president
Soeharto.

Saenah and another witness, Hetty Siti Hartika, allegedly were
coached by Tommy's defense lawyers to portray a scenario that
would exonerate Tommy from the charge of masterminding the murder
of judge Syafiuddin Kartasasmita.

Under these circumstances, Saenah's testimony was truly
uplifting. Her frank, simple and unpretentious statements showed
that honesty still exists in the Republic. Her courage to tell
the truth despite the alleged pressure and material offers is
praiseworthy; an act which deserves to be described as heroism.

Saenah, perhaps, does not feel that she is a heroine. She only
wishes to tell the truth, put this confusing situation behind her
and return to her normal life. Yet, what villains we are if we
pretend not to understand that Saenah's life is now in danger. A
23-year-old woman has been threatened by Tommy Soeharto in front
of a panel of judges and hundreds of people attending the
hearing. Imagine, if a judge can be murdered in public what will
happen to a simple woman like Saenah?

Therefore, we are obliged to protect Saenah.

-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta