Fedhly Averouss Bey, Jakarta – A court hearing of a class action by ex-members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) was marred by a demonstration by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI). During the action, demonstrators almost broke down the gates to the Central Jakarta State Court.

The action, which involved around 50 people from the FPI, the Hisbullah Brigade, the Indonesian Youth Movement (GPI) and the Islamic Indonesian Students (PII), was held in front of the courthouse on Jalan Gajah Mada on Wednesday August 3.

Demonstrators gave speeches from a pickup truck equipped with a sound system. "We ask the Central Jakarta State Court not to accept the class action by the former PKI members, political prisoners and their families. We also demand that the MPRS Decree(1) be amended to become law", said the deputy coordinator of the action, PII member Amru during a speech.

The action became heated when they climbed up on and began pushing the courthouse gates, which were locked and guarded by 20 police officers from the Central Jakarta district police.

Inside the court meanwhile, the panel of judges presided over Cicut Sutiarso took turns in reading a notification of the class action by the ex-PKI members. The plaintiffs are demanding MPRS Decree Number 25/1966 on the PKI as a banned organisation be repealed. They are also demanding a historical correction, the restoration of their good names and compensation.

Scores of ex-PKI members and political prisoners who appeared to be closely following the proceedings filled the courtroom. A number of FPI representatives were also present sitting in the front row of seats. As of 12.10pm the hearing was still taking place. (aan)

Lawyers representing ex-PKI members chased by FPI

Fedhly Averouss Bey, Jakarta - A demonstration by the Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) at a class action hearing became heated with three lawyers representing ex-members of the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) were pursued by scores of FPI activists.

The three lawyers that became the targets of the FPI anger who were from the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH) were Uli Parulian, Gatot and Rini.

The pursuit occurred when the panel of judges presided over by Cicut Sutiarso decided to postpone the hearing for one hour. The hearing was being held at the Central Jakarta State Court on Jalan Gajah Mada on Wednesday August 3.

When the lawyers tried to leave the courtroom, scores of FPI activists started screaming hysterically. "Gatot, stop you. You are also PKI", shouted one of the activists while pointing in the direction of the seats occupied by the three lawyers.

Hearing the shouts, they appeared surprised and rushed to leave the courtroom located on the second floor. They then turned-tail and ran up to the third floor. Not wanting their "fugitives to disappear", the FPI pursued the three.

Seeing what was happening, the police acted quickly. The three were safeguard from the anger of the demonstrators who could be seen panting as they chased and pursued the three through all the rooms.

The scores of ex-PKI members and political prisoners attending the hearing did not try to resist due to their old age and appeared unmoved by the actions of the FPI and the Hisbullah Brigade against their lawyers.

Failing to find their "fugitives", demonstrators then held speeches in the courtroom. They demanded that the panel of judges reject the ex-PKI members' suit for the annulment of MPRS Decree Number 25/1966 on the PKI as a banned organisation.

Speeches were also held in front of the courthouse gates. Large banners were even erected reading "Crush the PKI-Communists, defend NKRI(2)". Sores of police could be seen on guard. The action ended up obstructing the flow of traffic for the length of Jalan Harmoni heading for Kota. (aan)

Three ex-PKI lawyers 'held hostage' at court hearing

Fedhly Averouss Bey, Jakarta – The pursuit of three lawyers representing ex-Indonesian Communist Party (PKI) members continues. Following the court hearing, they were forced to seek the protection of police because scores of Islamic Defenders Front (FPI) activists were determined to detain them.

The three lawyers are Uli Parulian Sihombing, Erna Ratna Ningsih and Gatot, all legal experts from the Jakarta Legal Aid Foundation (LBH).

When the hearing of a class action by ex-PKI members ended on Wednesday August 3 at around 2.30pm, the demonstrators immediately blocked the gates of the Central Jakarta State Court on Jalan Gajah Mada. The demonstrators who came from the Indonesian Youth Movement (GPI), the Hisbullah Brigade and the Indonesian Islamic Students also began checking vehicles leaving the court grounds. Even an ambulance didn't escape inspection by the FPI.

Seeing the situation, several police officers provided security to the three public defenders and they were taken to a courtroom on the third floor where they were closely guarded.

Even a number of old and aged ex-PKI members could not escape being taunted by the demonstrators. "Before [the PKI] slaughtered the Islamic community, now they do as they please and ask for compensation", swore one of the FPI members. The ex-PKI members however were able to make their way past the throng of people.

Because after some time the lawyers failed to leave the court, at around 3.15pm the demonstrators finally disbanded the flow of traffic past Jalan Gajah Mada gradually returned to normal.

The lawyers were "held hostage" in the courthouse for around 75 minutes and were only able to leave the building at around 3.45pm, going directly to the LBH offices on Jalan Diponegoro in Central Jakarta.

The hearing of the suit against President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and three former Indonesian presidents, Megawati Sukarnoputri, Abdurrahman Wahid and B.J. Habibie will be reconvened on August 18 and is scheduled to here a defense plea from the defendants. (ton)

Notes:

1. Provisional People's Consultative Assembly Decree Number XXV/1966 on the Dissolution of the Indonesian Communist Party and Prohibitions on Marxist, Leninist and Communist Teachings.

2. NKRI - Negara Kesatuan Republik Indonesia, the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. A term which is often used in the context of nationalism and the desire to maintain the integrity of the Indonesian nation.

[Translated by James Balowski.]