Suspects in attack on City Council held<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Police have detained seven people in connection
\nwith Wednesday's mob attack on the City Council, Jakarta Police
\nspokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bahrul Alam said on Thursday.<\/p>\n
\"They have been placed in custody for their alleged
\ninvolvement in the vandalism,\" Anton said.<\/p>\n
He said the suspects would be charged with violating Article
\n406 of the Criminal Code on the destruction of objects, a crime
\nwhich carries a maximum sentence of two years in jail and a
\nmaximum fine of Rp 4,500 (US 47 cents).<\/p>\n
The suspects allegedly were among dozens of city contractors
\nwho went on a rampage after they were denied a meeting with City
\nCouncil Speaker Edy Waluyo to discuss the registration process
\nfor project tenders.<\/p>\n
At least eight people, most of them civil defense officers,
\nwere injured in the incident. The mob also broke a number of
\nflower pots, pictures and windows on the ground floor of the
\ncouncil building.<\/p>\n
Edy said material losses from the incident could reach
\nhundreds of millions of rupiah.<\/p>\n
\"We call on people who wish to convey their wishes to avoid
\nacts of anarchism. The council is an institution which channels
\nthe wishes of the people, but it is not the decision-maker,\" Edy
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
He added that he had asked the police to step up security at
\nthe council to prevent further attacks.<\/p>\n
Edy did not appear at the City Council on Wednesday because he
\nwas chairing the first meeting of the Indonesian City Councillors
\nAssociation, which ended on Thursday afternoon.<\/p>\n
Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan)
\ncouncillor Lambertus Gaina Dara joined the chorus of condemnation
\nof the attack. He demanded those responsible issue a public
\napology for their show of contempt for the council.<\/p>\n
\"Even becak drivers can stage a civilized rally. How come they
\n(city contractors), who claim to be well educated, resort to
\nanarchy?\" Lambertus asked, referring to the drivers of three-
\nwheeled motorized vehicles who last year peacefully protested the
\ngovernor's policy banning the vehicles in the city.<\/p>\n
Lambertus said Jakartans should protect the City Council,
\nwhich he called a public asset.<\/p>\n
He also demanded the full weight of the law be brought to bear
\non those responsible, calling the attack a crime. (07\/jun)<\/p>",
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