Pubdate: Fri, 05 Jan 2001
Source: Indonesian Observer (Indonesia)
Copyright: 2001 The Indonesian Observer
Contact:  http://www.indoexchange.com/indonesian-observer

POLICE CHIEF QUIZZED OVER BIG-TIME DRUG DEALERS' ESCAPE FROM JAIL

JAKARTA (IO) — Legislators in East Java province yesterday asked local 
police chief Inspector General Sutanto to explain why 13 convicted drug 
dealers were allowed to escape from jail earlier this week.

The legislators — all from the local assembly's Commission A — questioned 
whether police had been paid massive bribes to release the dealers from 
Medaeng Jail, as there were no signs of a forced breakout.

Prior to the meeting with the police chief, the legislators reported the 
case to President Abdurrahman Wahid and East Java Governor Imam Utomo.

The seven assembly members who met the police chief were: Achmad Rubaie of 
the National Mandate Party (PAN), L. Soepomo of the Indonesian Democratic 
Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Saleh Ismail Mukadar (PDI-P), Colonel Budo 
Sadiharso from the military faction, Lilia Agustina of the National 
Awakening Party (PKB), Fuad Anwar (PKB) and Wahyudin Husein (PKB).

They were received by the police chief, his staff, and Surabaya Police 
Chief Great Commissioner Suharto.

The legislators demanded to know how 13 convicted drug dealers could have 
escaped from the jail without damaging any doors, windows, walls or cells.

It appears that certain officials had tried to cover-up the escape, because 
news of the incident was kept hidden from the press for several days.

Calmly, the police chief said his office's only responsibility is to search 
for criminals and arrest them. "Once they are in jail, they are out of our 
jurisdiction."

Achmad Rubaie warned Sutanto that locals would get angry if police fail to 
make sure that convicted crooks are kept in jail. "Although police were not 
responsible for those who escaped, all of us here hope the fugitives will 
be caught and receive stern measures while in police detention. If people 
come to the conclusion that the police are negligent, they will search for 
the criminals themselves and burn them on the streets, without any concern 
for the Criminal Code."

Achmad pointed out that motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers last year burned 
many motorcycle thieves alive, because they feared the crooks would be 
released or given lenient punishments if handed over to police.

"If the big-time drug dealers can escape due to the power of money, the 
public will be very angry, because even small-time thieves can be burned 
alive."

During the meeting, the legislators also asked police to crack down on drug 
dealing at schools, universities, discotheques, hotels, restaurants and 
brothels.

The legislators said drug dealers and their networks have reached the 
province's most remote villages, so if police fail to take serious action, 
it will only be a matter of time until all people become drug addicts.
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