'Angkot' driver assaults reporter

JAKARTA: An angkot (public minivan) driver working the route between the Cililitan bus terminal and Gandaria, East Jakarta, allegedly attacked a reporter from Jakarta evening paper Suara Pembaruan with a tire iron on Wednesday.

The reporter, Marthin Brahmanto, suffered a gash to the back of his head that required four stitches to close. The driver is being detained at the Ciracas Police station for questioning.

The incident took place when the court reporter, on his way home, reprimanded the driver for his reckless driving.

Earlier the driver had asked Marthin, the only passenger in the minivan, to exit the vehicle before his destination.

The argument turned violent when the driver allegedly attacked Marthin, who was sitting in the back of the vehicle, with a tire iron that he pulled out from under the front seat of the minivan. -- JP