September 23, 2014 edition
Hundreds of attorneys crowded around the Hotel Indonesia Roundabout fountain in Jakarta. Dressed in flowing black robes with white bands around their necks, they had not gathered for a trial. On Thursday morning two weeks ago, the leadership and members of the Indonesian Advocates Association (Peradi), who had come from around the country, were staging a protest. They are opposed to a draft law on advocates now being discussed at the House of Representatives (DPR).
Peradi has been strident in its rejection of the law. Their opposition began around two years ago, when they became aware that the law would be included in the 2012-2014 National Legislative Program. "We are happy with the current law. The proposal being discussed by the DPR will undermine the independence of advocates," Otto Hasibuan, chairman of Peradi's executive board, said on Friday last week.
Read More
More Law articles in other editions
September 16, 2014 edition
Brother and sister Ahmad 'Abob' Mahbub and Niwen Khairiah have found themselves in the national spotlight following revelations about their role in a black market fuel smuggling ring.
It was the question on everyone's mind: where did the money in Niwen's bank account come from? The account, now frozen by the authorities, was part of transactions worth a staggering Rp1.3 trillion. Yet Niwen, now in custody in Jakarta, should hardly have been rich: the 38-year-old woman was a modestly paid employee of the state, working for the Investment Board (BPM) in Batam, Riau Islands.
Read More
September 9, 2014 edition
AFTER more than a year of dating, Ratna and Bimo (not their real names) decided to tie the knot. They were of different religions, but they did not see that as an obstacle. Their families had agreed to the union. "In the beginning they were opposed to it, but later they gave their blessing," Ratna told Tempo. It was also decided that neither Ratna nor Bimo would would convert to the other's faith for the marriage.
An obstacle did arise-from Indonesian law, which prohibits interfaith marriage. Unwilling to sacrifice their principles, Ratna and Bimo came up with a strategy to have their marriage acknowledged and accepted by the state. "So that our rights and obligations as husband and wife would be legally acknowledged," Ratna said.
Read More
January 1, 1970 edition
Like most judges, Supreme Court Chief Justice, Muhammad Hatta Ali, tends to be very careful when speaking about his court. "News articles tend to entrap you," he said, smiling.
After the arrest of former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Akil Mochtar for bribery, the public has become skeptical towards the institutions of law enforcement. The spotlight was even harsher when the Supreme Court held a training program at Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi recently, and flew the judges by chartered flights.
Read More
August 26, 2014 edition
For nearly a month, debate on the pros and cons of the law on reproductive health has persisted. The regulation, No. 61/2014, has been questioned by a variety of circles, from religious organizations to state authorities.
The cause of dissent are certain articles that allow women to get abortion in special circumstances. Abortion has always been forbidden in Indonesia, and Health Minister Nafsiah Mboi said that was still so. The latest regulation, she said, simply provided an exception in cases of medical emergency and rape. According to Nafsiah, the spirit of the regulation was intended to protect the woman's right to reproductive health. "This is part of human rights," she said last week.
Read More
August 19, 2014 edition
A burly man with a crew cut sat alone at the Dunkin' Donuts counter in the Pasar Senen Train Station, Central Jakarta. It was a week before Lebaran, the holiday at the end of the Ramadan fasting month. The man kept glancing at the watch on his wrist. Soon a well-dressed man approached and passed him an envelope.
After checking its contents, the burly man shook hands with the man and left. "That was just a customer who asked for help finding a ticket for mudik (annual Lebaran homecoming)," Taufik, the man who delivered the envelope, told Tempo a few moments later. He openly admitted he was a ticket scalper.
Read More
August 5, 2014 edition