Udin's widow upset by light demand

YOGYAKARTA: The widow of slain journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafrudin is disappointed at the military prosecutor's demand for an eight-month sentence for an official implicated in the murder of her husband. The former regent of Bantul, Sri Roso Sudarmo, is being tried in military court because of his rank as colonel.

Antara on Tuesday quoted the lawyer of Marsiyem as saying: "As my late husband once reported, the military prosecutor has acknowledged that Sri Roso is proven to having bribed the Dharmais Foundation with Rp 1 billion.

"Why did the prosecution only demand less than 20 percent of the maximum penalty of five years in prison?"

The regent is being tried on charges of having bribed the foundation led by former president Soeharto to ensure his reelection. The journalist, known as Udin, died of torture in 1996 and his murder was believed to be related to his reports on corruption in the administration.

The lawyer also questioned the absence of key witnesses, such as officials from the Dharmais Foundation.