The Jakarta Post,
Friday, April 17 ,2009

The Supreme Court has cleared Time magazine, published by Time Inc., of all charges in a defamation case brought forward by the family of the late former president Soeharto.

Time’s lawyer, Todung Mulya Lubis, said in a statement on thursday that the Supreme Court ruling was a relief for Indonesia’s press.
“The decade-long struggle by Time to convince the country’s legal institutions has succeeded in proving that news for public interest should not be categorized as a crime, “he said.
“This is a historical verdict and should be a reference for all judges handling press cases.
“The verdict should become a jurisprudence which is legally binding. This is a victory for the press, not only for Time. We appreciate the Supreme Court for the just verdict,” Todung said.
The Supreme Court overturned its August 2007 ruling, which required the magazine to pay US$ 106 million in damages to Soeharto’s estate.
Supreme Court Justice Hatta Ali said the article in question “did not violate the law” or breach ethical standards.
He said Time owed nothing to the Soeharto family- a decision hailed by the magazine as a victory for press freedom.

The Soeharto family sued Time for defamation over its May 24, 1999 (Asian edition) cover story, which reported that they had amassed $ 15 billion during his 32 years in power. The former president demanded Rp 189 trillion (US$ 17.18 billion) in compensation.
The lawsuit was filed at the Central Jakarta District Court by lawyers Juan Felix Tampubolon, O.C. Kaligis and Indriyanto Senoadji.

The magazine disseminated false news and cast aspersions against our client’s good name, the Soeharto family lawyers claimed. Soeharto also demanded the magazine restore his good name by issuing a clarification and public apolgy.
Soeharto also demanded Rp. 280 million in immaterial losses to cover legal expenses.

The magazine, following four months of extensive investigation in 11 countries, claimed that the Soeharto’s fortune included a $ 9 billion fund that was transferred from Switzerland to Austriaonly days after the former strongman resigned on May 21, 1998. The alleged fortune also includes cash, stocks, corporate assets, jewellery and fine arts.
Soeharto has repeatedly denied that he personally had any bank accounts abroad and challenged the magazine to come up with evidence to back its claim. Soeharto died last year at the age of 87.

Singapore (PRWEB) February 20 2009 — MSI Global Alliance (MSI) is delighted to announce the admission of Lubis Santosa & maulana (LSM)  to its growing worldwide membership of independent law and accountancy firms.

LSM was selected from a number of candidate firms in Jakarta and brings additional strength to an Asia legal membership that also includes leading independent law firms Lehman Lee & Xu (China), Chooi & Company (malaysia), ONC Lawyers (Hongkong), Kojima Law Offfices (Japan), and Rajinder Narain & Co and Chandan Associates (India).
The appointment enables LSM, a Legal 500 and chambers and Partners recommended firm, to remain fully independent, while broadening the scope of services available to its clients through access to a carefully selected worldwide association of over 250 independent law and accounting firms in 100 countries.

With multinational corporations comprising a growing share of LSM client base, the need to refer clients to trusted, independent law firms with strong commercial teams and international experience in other jurisdictions has become hugely important. Membership will allow LSM to continue to benefit from existing law firm relationships, while accessing an additional source of referrals from overseas.

LSM is a 30-lawyer, full service law firm established in 1986 whose practice encompasses nearly every major area of law, but is divided intro three major practice groups: Corporate and Commercial, Intellectual Property and Dispute Resolution.
Todung Mulya Lubis, LSM’s Senior Partner, says:”MSI Global Alliance membership acknowledges our standing in the South East Asian region and will benefit our clients as well as boost our profile in Indonesia.

“Our admission to MSI Global Alliance also nends a message to Indonesian companies that we are ready and capable of assisting them with global transactions.”
James Mendelssohn, MSI’s Chief Executive, says:”Lubis Santosa & Maulana ia an impressive firm that has been able to meet our stringent membership criteria of impeccable service standards and a broad, internationally oriented, commercial practice. The firm will play an important part in the growth of our membership in South East Asia.
“MSI continues to appoint strong independent firms, with six firms having joined already in 2009. The economic downturn provides a good opportunity for the medium sized firm with established international links as in house counsel and CFOs go in search of professional firms that offer better value through partner involvement, lower fees and international expertise.”

Mendelssohn continues:”while some firms are battening down the hatches, the more entrepreneurial firms are out there networking, connecting. referring, learning and doing their best to keep business flowing and confidence growing. This type of firm is certainly to be found within MSI, with managing partners recognising that to do nothing, however tempting, is a big risk.
“We are exploring opportunities to appoint further members in South East Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Macau, South Korea Taiwan and Vietnam, and interested firms are invited to come forward.”

Clients doing business in Indonesia now have access to the full range of professional services through LSM and MSI’s accounting firm member in Jakarta, Sulaimin & Rekan.
About MSI Global Alliace
MSI is an international association of independent proffesional firms, with over 250 member firms in 100 countries. MSI was formed in 1990 in response to the growing need for cross border cooperation between proffesional servises firms. For more information on MSI and its member firms, please go to www.msiglobal.org