Trial of bus driver goes on

BOGOR, West Java (JP): The prosecutor in the trial of the Kramatdjati bus driver charged with causing the death of 31 people said on Monday the only inaccuracy in his indictment is a misprint.

In the second hearing of the trial arising from the March 23 accident on the Jagorawi toll road, prosecutor Razali Hanafi stood by his charges which the defendant's lawyers said was inaccurate.

"The date of birth of defendant Ag. bin Yakob should have read June 21, 1957, but it was mistyped as July 21," Razali said.

The hearing lasted only 10 minutes. Very few people were present at the Bogor District Court, apart from the prosecutors and the defendant's lawyers from GM Associates Legal Consultants.

No family members of the defendant, who remained silent during the hearing, were visible.

The defending lawyers, led by Monang Saragih, also said the charges should have been based on the 1992 Traffic Law and regulations against the use of prohibited drugs.

Ag. bin Yakob was charged with taking barbiturate pills before driving out of the Kampung Rambutan terminal in East Jakarta. The prosecution referred to survivors who said he kept zig-zagging before crashing into three vehicles on the road's hard shoulder. Thirty one passengers were trapped in the ensuing blaze.

Razali said the charges would have been obscure if linked to the above regulations. "The charges fulfill all requirements," he said.

The next hearing, at which the defendants will respond, is scheduled for Thursday. (21/anr)