Special Terrorist Court Not Needed, Says Head of the Supreme Court

INDONESIA - Head of the Supreme Court Harifin A. Tumpa said, what needed now is a professional judge for terrorist case. He doesn't agree if there is any need for a special terrorist court.

"Do we need a special terrorist court, I think it's not necessary. What we need is a professional judge who understands about terrorism to adjudicate the terrorism cases," Harifin said in Jakarta on Saturday.

Harifin stated, rather than create a special court for terrorists, it will be better for the Supreme Court to prepare judges who are ready to take trial on terrorism cases.

Therefore, Harifin said, the Supreme Court has trained 50 judges who are specially prepared to face the terrorist trials. Harifin revealed that the judges training is necessary so they understand terrorism in details.

The judges comes from various region in Indonesia. Some of them will soon steps in a terrorist trial in West Jakarta.

"The (terrorist) case is already in. The trial is in West Jakarta, but the judges comes from various regions. Yes, they are the judges who finished the special training," he said.

Before, there are some parties who suggest for a special terrorist court. They expect a better handling on the terrorist case with this special court. The suggestion was given by the Head of Anti-terrorist Special Forces, Brigadier General Tito Karnavian and the Head of National Terrorism Encounter Board, Ansyaad Mbay.

President Don't Approve Asahan 1 Operational License

INDONESIA - Global warming is one of the main issue not only in Indonesia, but also in the whole world. Relating to this, the Environmental Joint Units demands the President to deny the Minister of Human Resources from granting an operational license to Asahan 1, a hydroelectric power plant, because it's not eligible.

"We are trying to convey a case review on the management representations in this country since the New Order, more damage than benefit. We do not intend to discredit or intimidate, but to awaken us all, support the president who is committed to support the environment," member of the House of Representatives Commission VII, Simbolon Efendi, said when met at the Caesar Hotel, South Jakarta on Sunday.

Efendi added that the attitude doesn't mean to hamper the development in any way. "But we do care about the environment. We present the data and facts that Asahan 1, the hydroelectric power plant, still ineligible to many conditions, for example, it's safety."

He cleared out that Asahan 1 is not under the National Electric Company, and doesn't need to met it's restrictions. Asahan 1 will be continued to Asahan 2 until Asahan 9.

"Asahan, the water comes from Toba lake. We all know that Toba lake already becomes a trash dump," he said.

Efendi revealed that it's not possible that one day the Toba lake will burden the country. "Not only because of Asahan 1 then everything become important. It's very ironic because 10 meters from the Asahan 1 location, there are families without electricity in their home." he concluded.

Sinabung Mountain Erupting, Polonia Airport Flight Schedule Delayed

MEDAN, Indonesia - Since the eruption of Sinabung mountain in Karo district, the flight activity in Polonia Airport has been put on hold.

Delayed flights to and from the Polonia Airport is due to the volcanic ash from the erupting mountain.

"The volcanic ash is worried to disrupt the plane engine. That's why we keep on alert. Rather than posing to risk, it's safer to delay the flights," Branch Manager of PT Angkasa Pura II Polonia Airport, Medan Bram Baroto Tjiptadi explained.

The flight delays applied to flights to and from FL Tobing Airport, Central Tapanuli, not far from Sibolga. Susi Air and Sriwijaya Air are among the suspended Airlines.

Meanwhile, the other flight schedule did not experience any problems, such as Medan-Jakarta route and vice versa. But the PT Angkasa Pura II Polonia Airport remain vigilant and actively monitor the developments of the last volcanic eruption.