Workers' trial protested

Some 150 members of the Karya Utama Labor Federation (FSKU) staged a rally in front of the Tangerang District Court on Tuesday to protest against the trial of one of their colleagues Hamdani.

Hamdani, 25, is being tried for the alleged theft of a pair of sandals belonging to PT Osaga, where he used to work.

"The court must stop the trial because the prosecutor's claims are inaccurate and fabricated," FSKU coordinator Rostina said.

The protesters claimed they represented the employees of several factories across Tangerang.

Some 40 police officers were deployed around the courthouse to prevent the protesters from invading the courtroom where the prosecutor was reading out his response to the accused's defense statement.

According to prosecutor Misbah, Hamdani took a pair of sample sandals from the company's warehouse and wore them for the purpose of performing ritual ablutions without management's permission.

As the defendant's act had caused Rp 25,000 in losses to the company, the prosecutor charged the defendant with violating Article 362 of the Criminal Code on theft.

Hamdani claimed that the sandals were not a sample pair as claimed by the prosecution, but rather rejects that were destined to be dumped.

Presiding Judge Supapto will decided next Tuesday whether or not to proceed with the trial. --JP