Six policemen deny involvement in Bojong violence<\/p>\n
Theresia Sufa and Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Bogor\/Jakarta<\/p>\n
Six low-ranked police officers have denied involvement in
\nMonday's violent protest by locals opposing the presence of
\nBojong waste treatment facility in Klapanunggal, Bogor regency,
\nWest Java.<\/p>\n
The officers -- Second Insp. Parlaungan Simatupang and Second
\nBrig. Ahmad Walyuhri of Cileungsi Police, and Second Brig. Asep
\nSaepul, Second Brig. Agus Gunawan, Second Brig. Sutopo and Second
\nBrig. Roh Mustapa Dewa Samudra of Bogor Police riot squad --
\npresented their statements to a police ethics committee hearing
\non Friday.<\/p>\n
However, the committee has yet to interrogate middle- and
\nhigh-ranked officers, including Bogor Police chief Sr. Comr.
\nBambang Wasgito and Bojong Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Muhammad
\nTaufik, even though National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar had
\npromised that the police would summon Bambang for questioning.<\/p>\n
The six officers denied that they had been involved in beating
\nand kicking protesters although television footage and newspaper
\nreports showed the opposite.<\/p>\n
\"If we appeared to grab the protesters' hair, beat or kick
\nthem, it was because they attempted to flee the scene when we
\ntried to arrest them,\" one of the officers said in the hearing,
\npresided over by Adj. Sr. Comr. Rastra Gunawan.<\/p>\n
Dozens of uniformed policemen and policewomen also attended
\nthe hearing to show support for their colleagues.<\/p>\n
Another officer admitted that they had to use violence in
\nself-defense against protesters, who they claimed had carried
\nmachetes and other sharp weapons.<\/p>\n
\"Despite their denials, we consider that the video footage and
\nnews reports of the incident are sufficient to bring those
\nofficers to this examination, referring to Article 4 (a) of
\nGovernment Regulation No. 2\/2003 on disciplinary regulations for
\nIndonesian Police,\" Rastra said.<\/p>\n
This article stipulates that police officers are obliged to
\ngive their utmost to protect, secure and serve the public.<\/p>\n
If it is proven that the officers violated discipline, they
\ncould face a maximum sentence of 21 days in police custody, and
\ndischarge from the force.<\/p>\n
The incident started when thousands of villagers, supported by
\nseveral non-governmental organizations, staged a rally on Monday
\nto protest the planned trial of a waste treatment facility by
\noperator PT Wira Guna Sejahtera.<\/p>\n
The rally turned violent after police officers guarding the
\nplant clashed with protesters who had vandalized the office and
\ncars at the plant.<\/p>\n
Legislators have questioned the deployment of the Police
\nMobile Brigade to secure the plant.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, the Jakarta Residents Forum (Fakta) have called on
\nJakarta Governor Sutiyoso to apologize to the locals over the
\nbloody incident, claiming that his administration should also
\nbear responsibility.<\/p>\n
\"The trial of the Bojong plant was done because the Jakarta
\nadministration repeatedly pressed the plant management to start
\noperating it,\" Fakta's chairman Azas Tigor Nainggolan said.<\/p>\n
He added the plant must be closed down since it violates Bogor
\nregency's master plan.<\/p>\n
Tigor referred to a letter issued by former state minister of
\nthe environment Nabiel Makarim on Dec. 4, 2003, which requested
\nthe Bogor regency administration to relocate the plant to Nambo
\nvillage in accordance with the master plan.<\/p>\n
Earlier on Thursday, the House of Representatives asked State
\nMinister of the Environment Rachmat Witoelar to intervene in the
\ncase on the basis of the alleged violation.<\/p>\n
Bogor regency council as well as the West Java provincial
\ncouncil recommended on Friday that the plant be closed as it
\ncould spark further social unrest.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/six-policemen-deny-involvement-in-bojong-violence-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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