Even Though PAD Is Limited, Garut Still Prepares Legal Aid Funds For The Poor

Chairman of the Garut Regency DPRD, West Java, Aris Munandar. (ANTARA/Feri Purnama)

GARUT - The Regional People's Representative Council (DPRD) of Garut Regency, West Java, has prepared a budget to provide legal assistance to the poor.

The chairman of the Garut Regency DPRD, Aris Munandar, said that the Draft Regional Regulation (Raperda) on Legal Aid for the Poor had been agreed upon with the local government.

In the agreement, funds will be allocated to handle a minimum of 50 cases annually.

"In principle, we will increase the legal aid quota in court for certain cases, as an addition from the center, at least 50 people per year," said Aris in Garut, Antara, Sunday, August 24.

He explained that the proposed Regional Regulation on Legal Aid for the Poor had received the support of Garut Regent Abdusy Syakur Amin. Although the regional budget is limited, the local government is committed to preparing legal aid funds after the regional regulation is ratified.

"We have proposed this regional regulation from the start. The Regent and DPRD have agreed to budget, even though our PAD is limited and must be divided for other needs," he said.

This regional regulation is currently entering the discussion stage with community leaders, former regents, and legal aid institutions. From the provisional discussion, it was agreed that there would be minimum legal assistance for 50 poor people per year who are in conflict with criminal and civil legal processes.

"How about this legal aid regulation, who can assist, and the technical implementation, we have arranged it there," said Aris.

He emphasized that this legal aid does not differentiate between who is right or wrong. The local government provides this facility solely so that the poor who are unable to pay lawyers continue to receive legal assistance.

"In the sense of not distinguishing between wrong or right. This is a form of appreciation from local governments, both DPRD and regents, to help people who are unable to pay legal assistance," he said.