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)