Sofjan admits to having issued documents for smuggled cars<\/p>\n
Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
In an inquiry led by National Police generals, Comr. Gen.
\nSofjan Jacoeb said on Thursday that he had issued temporary
\nvehicle documents for 11 Mercedes Benzes, allegedly smuggled in
\nfrom Singapore, during and after his term as South Sulawesi
\nPolice chief ended last year.<\/p>\n
National Police inspector-general Comr. Gen. Ahwil Luthan said
\nthe two hours of questioning at National Police Headquarters was
\na fact-finding session that was part of police investigations
\ninto the nationwide luxury car smuggling ring, which allegedly
\ninvolves senior police officers.<\/p>\n
Thursday's investigative team grilling the three-star general
\ncomprised Ahwil, security chief to the National Police Chief
\nBrig. Gen. Mudji H., Special Inspector for the National Police
\nInspectorate-General Brig. Gen. Jusuf Muharram, detectives Sr.
\nComr. Rizal Zein and Sr. Comr. Riyadi.<\/p>\n
Ahwil said, however, that the questioning, which began at
\n10:40 a.m., carried no legal weight.<\/p>\n
\"This was not formal questioning. We first need to gather all
\nthe facts before building a case. This is just a part of the
\nprocess,\" Ahwil said, adding that the police would need to gather
\nthe necessary testimonies and evidence before consulting with
\nNational Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar about the next steps to
\ntake.<\/p>\n
\"It's up to the National Police chief to decide. He evaluates
\nthe facts we have gathered and decides whether Comr. Gen. Sofjan
\nhas committed an offense or a mere violation of internal police
\nregulations.\"<\/p>\n
Sr. Comr. Prasetyo of the National Police Information Center
\nsaid on Thursday that should Da'i conclude that a crime was
\ncommitted in the case, it would then be forwarded to the National
\nPolice detectives to be formally processed.<\/p>\n
\"Only then will witnesses be formally called and questioned,
\nand dossiers be prepared. Once dossiers are completed, they will
\nbe handed over to state prosecutors,\" Prasetyo told The Jakarta
\nPost, adding that should the case be considered to be a
\nviolation of internal police regulations, only disciplinary
\nmeasures would be taken against Sofjan. Ahwil added that there
\nwas the possibility that the police would summon Sofjan again for
\nfurther questioning over the matter.<\/p>\n
The probe is unprecedented, considering that it is one of a
\nhandful of criminal cases directly involving police generals who
\nare investigated by police detectives as required by Police Law
\nNo. 2\/2002.<\/p>\n
Each provincial police chief is allowed to issue temporary
\nvehicle documents, which are effective for up to three months,
\nfor security reasons.<\/p>\n
Noted criminologist Adrianus Meliala stated that it would be
\nvery difficult for police detectives to put aside their loyalty
\nto the National Police, and conduct objective questioning of
\npolice officers.<\/p>\n
Another criminologist, Mulyana W. Kusumah, said it was
\nimportant to establish an independent team, which should not
\nnecessarily involve the police, to investigate this scandal.<\/p>\n
Speculation has been rife that the investigation into Sofjan
\nhas more to do with his legal dispute with Da'i over the police
\nforce's mandatory retirement age, and does not necessarily have a
\nlegal motive.<\/p>",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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