Alleged arsonist arrested

Alleged arsonist arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested a man who they believe set
fire to 10 buildings on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, last
December. Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Abubakar Nataprawira
confirmed yesterday that 35-year-old Gbl was picked up on
Thursday at his house on Jl. Petamburan, West Jakarta.

"During a preliminary interrogation, Gbl admitted that he
someone, still unidentified, promised him Rp 20 million
(US$8,602) to burn down the buildings," Abubakar said, adding
that Gbl had yet to receive the payment.

Sources at the Central Jakarta police precinct said that Gbl's
friend, identified as Rk, knows who ordered the arson.

Rk is still at large, but police have traced his whereabouts,
the sources said.

The 10 buildings, all used for business activities, were
torched during the early morning on Dec. 2 last year. No
casualties were reported.

After the fire was put out, residents in the area found six
jerricans and plastic bags containing petrol near the scene.

Police estimate the total losses to be in the hundreds of
millions of rupiah.

Some residents said a man had asked them to sell their land at
Rp 800,000 per square meter before the fire took place.

The residents refused the request, saying that the offer was
too low for land in the strategic area.

Police suspect that certain businesses were behind the
incident. (jun)