Sjachriel, lawyers going to settlement

A class action suit by 50 lawyers from various bar associations against South Kalimantan Governor Sjachriel and other institutions in the South Kalimantan administration over coal handling in the province would likely be settled out of the court.

Based on information collected by Banjarmasin Post, Sjachriel approved about 70 percent of the lawyers' suit demand. But the Post did not say how much or how many the demand was.

The paper only said that the proposed settlement was reached at a meeting between Sjachriel and representatives of the lawyers at the former's resident on Thursday night. At the meeting, Sjachriel presented a proposal to the lawyers to settle their suit.

Nevertheless, lawyers contacted gave different accounts on the proposal. Yusuf Andi Kasim, for instance, expressed neutral statement when asked about the content of the proposal. He did not want to comment much on it and only said: "We are still discussing the proposal's content."

A Ruzeli, another lawyer, said that he had not received the concept of Sjachriel's proposal, and therefore he could not give any comment. But he noted that some of the lawyers might not agree on the proposal. If that happen, those who disagree could continue with their legal action.

The next hearing of the class actions against Sjachriel is scheduled to be held on Saturday, August. 26. (*)