Jakarta party leader ruled not guilty

[dArKeR]

Indonesia's Supreme Court yesterday overturned a graft conviction against the parliamentary speaker - a ruling that allows him to run for president and raises concerns about the country's ability to battle endemic corruption.

The decision in favor of Akbar Tandjung means the 59-year-old politician will likely become the candidate of the movement he currently leads - the Golkar Party of former dictator Suharto - in Indonesia's first ever direct presidential elections on July 5.

The ruling also deals a serious blow to the controversial candidacy of former military chief General Wiranto. He, too, is seeking the Golkar nomination despite having been indicted by the United Nations for alleged human rights abuses in the former Indonesian territory of East Timor.

"The defendant, Akbar Tandjung, is not guilty of committing criminal acts and therefore must be freed and his name and reputation rehabilitated," Judge Paulus Lotulong said in his final summary.

http://www.etaiwannews.com/Asia/2004/02/13/1076638283.htm

What an example AWOL (alias 666) has set for the world to follow.