Two men in court for defamation

TANGERANG (JP): Two Ciledug residents faced court yesterday to answer charges of defaming President Soeharto by distribution of leaflets with anti-Soeharto messages.

Prosecutor Samiun Yahya told Tangerang District Court that Syarifudin bin Murdali, 23, and Abdullah bin Sarmili, 22, both from Sudimara Timur village, rode a motorcycle along Jl. Lembang in Tajur village, Ciledug, and gave out 200 leaflets.

Samiun said the men admitted being aware of the contents of the leaflets and that they hoped people would read the messages.

He told the court, presided over by judge JH Situmorang, that the pamphlets asked, among other things, members of the first family to disclose their assets and business interests, and demanded the government stamp out corruption and bribery.

One of the country's largest riots in 30 years occurred two days later in Central Jakarta. Dozens of buildings and cars were burned following the annexation of PDI headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro.

The two defendants were charged under Article 134 of the Penal Code which carries a maximum penalty of six years imprisonment or a Rp 6,500 (US$1.90) fine. (bsr/41)