Last Wednesday at the Bengkulu District Court, Bengkulu Regional House of Represen-tative (DPRD) member Sofyan Akif from the United Development Party (PPP), was overcome by emotion. No longer able to control himself, Sofyan struck the defendant's chair and shouted hysterically, "It is not true, Your Honor. I am innocent. I am willing to swear by this".

Sofyan's cries fell on deaf ears. Chaired by Justice Andi Budiman, the presiding