Prabowo to Attend Wilfrida's Verdict Trial in Malayasia

Jakarta (Antara) - The Greater Indonesia Movement (Gerindra) Party Advisory Council chief and presidential hopeful Prabowo Subianto left for Malaysia on Sunday to attend the verdict trial of Indonesian migrant worker, Wilfrida Soik who is facing death penalty. "Prabowo will accompany Wilfrida's lawyer Muhammad Shafee Abdullah, who was assigned to assist Wilfrida in the court session," said the Prabowo Media Center coordinator, Budi Purnomo Karjodihardjo after seeing Prabowo off from Jakarta's Halim Perdanakusuma airport here on Sunday. Budi further said that on Monday, the tribunal of Kota Bahru Kelantan, Malaysia, will issue a decision to determine the fate of Wilfrida. In previous proceedings, the female migrant workers hailing from Belu, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, was sentenced to death for the alleged murder. Prabowo's attendance in the court session is aimed to provide moral support to Wilfrida, because Wilfrida's mother prior to her death had entrusted Prabowo to help Wilfrida. "We need supports from all Indonesian people, hoping that Wilfrida Soik will be acquitted of the death penalty," Budi said. Wilfrida indicted on suspicion of murder (violation of Article 302 Penal Code "Kanun Keseksaan") Malaysia with capital punishment as a maximum penalty. Wilfrida, who went to Malaysia before she was 17 years of age, stated that her action (causing her employer's death) was an effort to defend herself after being scolded and hit repeatedly. (*)