Two retired generals summoned by police

JAKARTA (JP): The National Police summoned two retired generals to give preliminary information on Wednesday about their suit against chief of the Supreme Advisory Council (DPA) A.A. Baramuli for an alleged slander.

Lt. Gen. (ret.) Kemal A. Idris and Lt. Gen. (ret) Ali Sadikin arrived at the headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta accompanied by their lawyer M. Assegaff.

Assegaff said that the complaint was not aimed at Baramuli in his capacity as DPA chief.

"We are suing him as an ordinary citizen," Assegaff said, referring to the disputed statement made by Baramuli during his visit to Palu, Central Sulawesi in December.

According to Assegaff, Kemal Idris and Ali Sadikin are demanding Rp 100 billion compensation from Baramuli for allegedly accusing the two retired generals of being unpatriotic.

Assegaff said his clients had enough evidence and witnesses to prove that Baramuli had slandered them.

He said that six out of ten journalists who interviewed Baramuli had stated their willingness to testify and help the two top figures.

Assegaff said that Baramuli, if found guilty, could face charges of violating Article No. 311 of Criminal Code which carries a maximum penalty of four years imprisonment. (emf)