ESTABLISHMENT OF SPECIAL DRUG COURT NEEDED - LAWYER

JAKARTA - Noted lawyer Henry Yosodiningrat proposed on Saturday
the establishment of a special drug court to try all cases of drug
abuse and trafficking.

"There have been infractions in drug trials as prosecutors have failed
to ask for and judges have failed to hand down proper sentences,"
Henry said while addressing a discussion on the prevention and the
rehabilitation of drug victims at the South Jakarta mayoralty's auditorium.

"As an example, a suspect was sentenced to only five years in jail for
drug trafficking, the prosecutors had demanded a seven-year jail term,
but the 1997 Law on narcotics allows a 15-year sentence," Henry, who
is also chairman of the Anti-Narcotics National Movement (GRANAT),
said.

He said the establishment of a special drug court was important for
the snowballing campaign against drugs.

"About 35 percent of 300 cases heard at the city's five district
courts are drug cases," he said, quoting statistical data from GRANAT.

Henry also suggested more personnel be recruited for the narcotics
squad to complement the limited number of police detectives.

"Police should provide thorough protection to witnesses and informants
of drug cases," said Henry, whose second son is being treated at
Yayasan Insan Pengasih rehabilitation center in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the number of drug traffickers in Jakarta alone was much
bigger than the 70-strong city police detectives.

"Internationally organized drug syndicates are stronger here than the
police are, so there should be a special force to deal with such a
serious matter," he said.

The lawyer also called for active public participation to fight drugs,
such as by providing immediate reports or accurate information to
police on drug abuse and trafficking.

The discussion, organized by NARASI youth social organization in
cooperation with the Caring Parents Association, also addressed the
increasing number of drug cases in the city and the role the public
could play to help minimize drug abuse and trafficking.

"The 1997 law on narcotics and psychotropic substances authorize
members of society to arrest suspected drug users and dealers and
handing them over to the police. But make sure to catch them while
they are using or trafficking drugs," Henry said.

Action

South Jakarta Mayor Abdul Mufti said it was the right time for society
to take real action against drugs.

"No more seminars or discussions, it's time to take action," Mufti
said while opening the discussion.

The mayor said subdistrict heads under his supervision should not wait
for his instruction to take action against any drug abusers or
traffickers in their respective neighborhoods.

"Village and subdistrict heads who lack the courage to fight drugs
should just move aside or go to sleep," he said.

Syahmad, a Malaysian counselor for the Jakarta office of Yayasan Insan
Pengasih, said every neighborhood should establish a community action
team to fight drugs.

"This team is designed to create a drug-free environment, a move
proven successful in the Philippines. In cooperation with the police,
the team can prevent drug abuse and trafficking in the neighborhood,"
he said.

Henry also spoke about the involvement of law enforcement officers in
drug rings, either as users, dealers or back-up men.

He said that GRANAT would officially request the national military
police reveal their findings on Army Second Lt. Agus Isrok, who was
arrested during a raid in August for allegedly possessing 7,000
ecstasy pills, four kilograms of shabu-shabu (crystal
methamphetamine), marijuana and five grams of putauw (low-grade
heroin).