Authorities hunt down car importer

Authorities hunt down car importer

JAKARTA: National Police detectives are hunting down a luxury car importer and a close friend of Comr. Gen. Sofjan Jacoeb, who admitted earlier in a police questioning that he issued temporary vehicle documents for 11 Mercedes Benz cars, allegedly smuggled from Singapore, at the end and after his term as South Sulawesi police chief last year.

Police sources have identified the Jakarta-based car importer only as Asun, who allegedly is doing "his best" to evade police arrest or questioning.

Every provincial police chief is allowed to issue temporary vehicle documents for a maximum of three cars, which are valid for up to three to six months.

Despite Sofjan's incriminating admission, National Police Chief Insp. Gen. Saleh Saaf said they needed more evidence.

Sofjan served as the chief of Jakarta police earlier this year. -- JP