Australian businessman surrenders to police
Australian businessman surrenders to police
SURABAYA (JP): After six hours of negotiations with police,
Peter Negal, a 60-year-old Australian businessman who refused to
talk to officers over an alleged swindle on Tuesday, surrendered
to police on Wednesday.
South Surabaya Police Sr. Supt. Wahyu Indrapramugari said the
police confiscated an air rifle believed to be used by Negal to
attack the officers.
On Tuesday, Negal reportedly opened fire on officers who
wanted to question him. Police officers surrounded his house on
Jl. Puncak Permai in Tandes after he allegedly shot at the
officers with an 4.5 caliber air rifle.
Police officers went to Negal's home on Tuesday following
allegations by his Indonesian business associates that he had
embezzled their money.
"Negal admitted to shooting the officers, as he thought we
were debt collectors, despite the fact we had informed him who we
were before," Wahyu said.
The Australian refused to leave his house, in which six
people, including his Indonesian wife Ivanna, 25, were held
hostage.
Sources at the police office said that Negal owed his business
associates Rp 5 billion, and the rift between him and them began
when Negal was "unfriendly" when they asked him for their money.
Unconfirmed reports say that Negal owns two big furniture
companies: Java Indonesia Mebel and Newco Furniture Industries in
Surabaya.
Wahyu said Negal's temporary stay permit, which is valid until
Nov. 30, 2000, was seized. "We haven't arrested him. The case is
a civil one and he is too old. He is now very distressed after
his dispute with his associates. He is now under city arrest and
is obliged to report to the police every day."
The negotiations between Negal and the police on the phone
were held without the presence of officials from the Australian
Embassy.
"Embassy officials trusted us to handle the case according to
the law," Wahyu said, adding that he had phone conversations with
an embassy official. He did not go into detail. (nur/sur)