Thu, 06 Sep 2001

Becak drivers stage violent rally

JAKARTA (JP): Dozens of becak (pedicab) drivers staged a violent protest at the office of the head of Pademangan Timur subdistrict on early Wednesday following official raids conducted against the operation of their vehicles in Penjaringan and Pademangan areas several hours earlier.

Police reports said that initially the becak drivers wished to talk to officials at the subdistrict office but, as the protest was held at 4:30 a.m., none of the officials were there.

The drivers vented their anger by pelting stones at the front glass windows of the office and damaging the roof. Material losses have yet to be estimated.

The violence was subdued after police and nearby residents came and calmed down the drivers. No arrests were made during the incident. (emf)

;JP;06; ANPAj..r.. Focus-Tourism Tourism trade exhibition to be held next week JP/3/FOCUS

Tourism trade expo to open next week

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (BPPI) will hold it's annual Tourism Indonesia Mart and Expo (TIME) from Sept. 11 to 15.

Considering Indonesia's maritime potential, the committee selected "Adventure Tourism: Uniquely Indonesian" as this year's theme, featuring the country's various marine locations and water sport activities.

One-hundred international buyers and 168 sellers will participate in this year's trade exhibition, to be held at the Jakarta Hilton Convention Center.

"Many people are reluctant to select Indonesia as their holiday destination because of security reasons. We hope to diminish that kind of perception at this year's event," said Meity Robot, chairperson of the TIME 2001 committee.

The event is a collaboration between BPPI, the State Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Jakarta City Council, Garuda Indonesia Airlines and private sponsors.(06)

;JP;06; ANPAj..r.. Focus-Teen-Kidnap Businessman accused of kidnaping teenager JP/3/FOCUS2

Businessman accused of kidnaping teen

JAKARTA (JP): A businessman accused of kidnaping a teenage model has been forced to seek protection from the military police following threats by the teenager's mother.

Siddi Sidarma Moersid said here on Wednesday that the teenage girl's mother had asked some military police officers to threaten him. Due to the woman's report that he had kidnapped her daughter, his house in Bogor was searched by the local police.

He denied allegations that he had kidnapped seventeen-year-old Novi Sabrina and said the girl was trying to escape from her house because she did not get along with her parents, Antara news agency reported.

In the dossiers signed by Sabrina at the North Jakarta district police station, she claimed that her mother constantly forced her to seduce men in an effort to get money.

Siddi's lawyer, Heru, said his client was a target of blackmail by Sabrina's mother. "We have filed a complaint with the Bogor military police regarding this matter," the lawyer said. (06)

;JP;04; ANPAj..r.. Focus-trial-postpone Central Jakarta court adjourns a bribery trial JP/3/FOCUS

Central Jakarta court adjourns a bribery trial

JAKARTA (JP): The Central Jakarta District Court postponed on Wednesday the first trial of a judge implicated in a bribery case, which is alleged to have involved some Rp 550 million (US$64,705).

Fauzatullo Zendrato, a Jakarta High Court judge, said that he objected to facing trial without the presence of his lawyer, Deny Kailimang.

According to Fauzatullo, 51, he had informed Denny to be present at the court, however he failed to appear.

Judge Bambang Sriwulan adjourned the hearing until next week as every defendant deserved representation by his/her lawyer in court.

Fauzatullo is facing allegations of receiving money from PT Surabaya Industry Estate to influence a land dispute case involving the firm. (04)