Union protests unfair trial

JAKARTA: Dozens of members of the Indonesian Seafarers Union (KPI) staged a protest on Monday at the Central Jakarta District Court, demanding fair trial for its chairman Hanafi Rustandi.

Sporting black vests, the protesters distributed copies of a land certificate belonging to the union, which they said was strong evidence to acquit the chairman.

The prosecution charged Hanafi and other KPI board members of violating Article 167 of the Criminal Code for illegally entering and occupying property belonging to others. The article carries a maximum sentence of 16 months in jail.

The case was filed by the outgoing KPI central board led by Iskandar B. Ilahude, who was ousted during the union's extraordinary meeting in 2001. He was said to be unfit for the post, as he concurrently held a post at the communications ministry.

The protesters demanded that a charge be brought against Iskandar, who they said had claimed the KPI's properties as his own. -- JP