Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - A lecturer of Surabaya-based Airlangga University (Unair) Prof. Peter Mahmud Marzuki launched a business law manual in English entitled "An Introduction to Indonesian Law" on Tuesday.

"The book is expected to serve as a reference for law practitioners and students as well as foreign law practitioners for better familiarity of the law in Indonesia," he said on the sidelines of the launching of the book in Surabaya, East Java.

The university professor said he compiled and wrote the book to contribute his thoughts and views on the law in Indonesia, especially on business law.

"He said that not many law practitioners understood business law, especially when it comes to foreigners. Besides, very view lawyers have the ability to make a contract for foreigners," he said.

The book also dealt with conflicts of business law, an example of this the legal conflict facing Prita Mulyasari against Omni International Hospital.

"This book dealt with the latest cases that are missing in previous books," Peter said.

The professor had decided to write the book after visiting Melbourne, Australia, in 1995. He read a law book in Asia and found a book written by Gautama Sudargo, an Indonesia University professor. But the book was very old from the 1970s, and written before the Amendment of the 1945 Constitution.

In the meantime, "Vice President Zaidun and Partner`s" and publisher, Ansharul, said he printed 1,000 first copies, planned to be distributed to campuses, and some to the Washington Library.

"He shared the hopes of the writer, the book could be used as reference for people in other countries to study Indonesian law," he said.

The 292-page book is divided into five chapters and is the third book Peter has compiled and written. The academician who is also lecturer in law at Jember University, had previously compiled and written two law books which became manuals for law students in several universities in Indonesia.  (*)