Omni agrees to withdraw lawsuit

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Wed, 12/09/2009 5:28 PM

A peace talk mediated by the health ministry to end a dispute between Omni International Hospital and its former patient Prita Mulyasari looks to have born fruit.

The hospital’s lawyer Heribertus S. Hartojo said Wednesday his client was willing to withdraw its civil lawsuit filed against Prita, allowing her to escape the High Court’s ruling which convicted her of defamation and ordered her to pay Rp 204 million (US$21,600) in damages.

“We have agreed to settle the case amicably and apologize to each other and agreed to drop the civil lawsuit,” Heribertus told kompas.com.

The peace negotiation, however, may crumble as Prita, through her lawyer, insists that the hospital also withdraw its criminal lawsuit, which the hospital will not heed.

“It’s beyond our control as, according to the Criminal Code, a report can only be withdrawn within three months. We filed the report over a year ago and the trial is underway,” Heribertus said.

He added his client would submit the peace accord to the panel of judges hearing the criminal case so that they could take it into consideration.

Public support for Prita has bloomed following her conviction last week. More than Rp 400 million has reportedly been raised to help her pay the damages.

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