Defendant In Drug Case Sentenced Free, Palangka Raya District Court Demolished

Chairman of Fordayak Central Kalimantan Bambang Irawan during a demonstration at the Palangka Raya District Court, Friday (27/5/2022). ANTARA/HO-Fordayak Central Kalimantan.

PALANGKA RAYA - Dozens of residents along with dozens of youth and community organizations in Central Kalimantan, Friday, held a demonstration to the District Court of Palangka Raya, protesting the judge's decision to acquit the accused in a drug case.

"The defendant in the drug case, who was acquitted, was clearly arrested for possessing two ounces of methamphetamine and has become evidence," said the Demonstration Action Coordinator and General Chairperson of Central Kalimantan Fordayak Bambang Irawan as quoted by Antara, Friday, May 27.

"So we, as the people of Central Kalimantan, took action as a form of disappointment with the Palangka Raya District Court Judge who acquitted the defendant in the drug case," he continued.

Apart from being disappointed with the acquittal, the community and dozens of youth and community organizations in Central Kalimantan demanded that the three judges who made the decision be immediately dismissed or dismissed because the decision indicated that they had abused their position and authority.

Bambang said the decision to release the defendant in the drug case with evidence of two ounces of methamphetamine set a bad precedent for the eradication of drugs in Indonesia, especially in Central Kalimantan. For this reason, the judge who made the decision should have been dismissed from his position.

"We have submitted the demand to disable the judges, and the Palangka Raya District Court has responded by asking for time to coordinate with the High Court as the one with the authority. We ask that on Monday (30/5) there has been a decision to disable the three judges," said Bambang. .

The man who is the administrator of the Central Kalimantan Dayak Customary Council (DAD) supports the submission of an appeal from the Palangka Raya District Court to the Supreme Court. Fordayak along with a number of mass organizations and the people of Central Kalimantan are committed to continuing to oversee the case until it has a final and binding decision.

"We will continue to monitor this cassation. If until Monday (30/5) there is no decision to disable the three judges, we as the people of Central Kalimantan will again hold demonstrations," said Bambang.

Previously, the Central Kalimantan High Prosecutor's Office confirmed that it would file an appeal to the Supreme Court regarding the Panel of Judges of the Palangka Raya District Court which acquitted the defendant in the drug case, Salihin alias Saleh bin Abdullah.