Surabaya – After HJC Princen, Prof Dr. Mudji Sutrisno and Prof Dr. JE Sahetapy, S.H., giliran Dr. Afan Gaffar, political experts from the Gajah Mada University (UGM) were witnesses in the trials of Peoples Democratic Party (PRD) members Dita Indah Sari (25), Coen Husein Pontoh (28), and M. Sholeh in the Surabaya State Court.

The three figures Princen, Mudji Sutrisno and Sahetapy gave their testimonies on the request of Dita and her lawyers, Afan Gaffar on the request of the public prosecutor Septinus Hematang, S.H.

Afan Gaffar, Tuesday (11/3) gave testimony in two cases at once (Dita, Pontoh) and M. Sholeh. In Dita and Pontoh's trial Gaffar said that according to article 28 of the 1945 Constitution regarding the organise and express opinion, all Indonesian citizens, must conform with current regulations. "However, if the accused went to a factory, to provoke and organise workers with the aim of improving their wages or conditions though a strike, that is wrong" said Gaffer.

According to him, it should be done through SPSI factory unit, not to encourage workers to demonstrate at the local Parliament. If arbitrate by SPSI between workers interests and the company fails, then they can complain to the parliament. "If that is done [strikes - JB], it can be called anarchy. Because the accused went to the factory to encourage, provoke and coordinate workers to strike", he said. He also "explained" [inverted commas added - JB] about democracy. A similar testimony was presented in Sholeh's trial.