The head of SBSI (Serikat Buruh Sejahtra Indonesia, Indonesian Trade Union for Prosperity) Muchtar Pakpahan refused to appear at the South Jakarta State Court on Thursday (6/3) because he was suffering from vertigo.

Witnesses from the Peoples Democratic Party (PRD) Budiman Sudjatmiko and Garda Sembiring also did not appear in court.

The presiding judge Djazuli P Sudibyo had only opened the proceedings for 10 minutes – which had already been delayed 3 hours – after asking for confirmation of Pakpahan's non-appearance saying "This trial will be continue next week (Thursday 13/3 - Ed).

According to one Pakpahan's lawyers, Irianto Subiakto, based on a medical report from Cipinang prison, Pakpahan need more intensive treatment in a hospital. Another defence lawyer Bambang Widjojanto through Dwi Ria Latifa said that permission for treatment by Dr Bahriun Sipahutar at the Cikini hospital had already been verbally granted by the Department of Justice.

Three PRD activists, Ken Budha Kusumandaru, Victor da Costa and Ign Putut Arintoko, witnesses in the case against Sudjatmiko and Garda Sembiring, according to judge Aman Surbakti, refused to appear in the trial.

[Abridged translation from Kompas - JB]