'Judge’s Gavel’ Acts for Press Freedom
Saturday, 06 September, 2008 | 13:44 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:A theatrical act was presented yesterday on the second floor of Central Jakarta District Court. Two men in black stood face to face. One man acted as ‘judge’ with a gavel in his hand, the other as the ‘accused’ wearing a T-shirt with the words ‘Press Freedom’ on it.


In one scene, the ‘judge’ hits the ‘accused’ on the head with his gavel. Then enters a man wearing a white, striped shirt, who hands some money to the ‘judge’.


The role-playing was presented by the Indonesian Committee against Forest Destruction in support of a verdict on a civil case involving PT Asian Agri Group versus the daily Koran Tempo. However, the panel of judges headed by Panusunan Hadahap, once again postponed the session. Panusunan said the judges were still debating the case because one panel member was replaced. “We will continue next Tuesday,” he announced in court.



Asian Agri Group, owned by Sukanto Tanoto, is suing Tempo chief editor, Toriq Hadad and the publishing company, PT Tempo Inti Media for defaming Asian Agri in an article on tax manipulation which appeared in its publication.


They also felt the publication was judgmental, inaccurate, and contained untruths, and that Tempo did not provide them with the right to respond. They are demanding that Toriq and Tempo pay them a fine of Rp 5,5 billion for losses incurred.


In previous court sessions, Tempo presented several witnesses and experts for its defence, among them, the Legal Bureau chief for Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), Khaidir Ramli, and media expert, Atmakusumah. In court, Khaidir confirmed the alleged tax manipulation case as reported by Tempo.


Tempo’s lawyer, Hendrayana hopes the panel of judges will not postpone the session again next week. “They have done this twice,” he said, adding that they should have reached a verdict by now.

SUTARTO