Bogus reporter arrested in Bogor

Bogus reporter arrested in Bogor

BOGOR, West Java (JP): Security officers caught a man posing
as a reporter as he tried to interview Mayor Eddy Gunardi about
the handling of traders whose Kebon Kembang market kiosks were
destroyed by fire in March.

The man, who claimed to be a reporter for the Semarang-based
Bahari weekly, intercepted the mayor as he left a media briefing
on the distribution of temporary kiosks for victims of the fire.

The man showed his ID card, instead of press card, when the
mayor asked for his identification.

The Mayor then ordered the mayoralty security guards to grab
the impostor, who had taken part in the press conference.

The security guards confiscated a knife from the man, before
turning him over to the police. Police refused to identify the
impostor.

Chairman of the Bogor branch Indonesian Journalists
Association (PWI) said many people claiming to be journalists
have been roaming about Bogor recently.

"They target officials and businesspeople involved in cases,"
Didi Chosidin said.

The bogus reporters usually ask for money in return for not
publishing any negative stories.

Meanwhile, the distribution of temporary kiosks itself ran
smoothly. Mayor Eddy Gunardi drew the lottery in front of public
notary, Moch. Said.

The administration has built 2,130 temporary kiosks, 494 of
which were distributed yesterday.

"We are satisfied," said Suyanto, a trader.

"What shall I do but accept the draw. That's okay," responded
Iskandar, another trader, who got kiosk No. 17.

Thousands of kiosks at the Kebon Kembang market were destroyed
by a fire, which also killed 10 people, most of whom were female
staffers of the Ramayana Department Store.

Police sources said yesterday that dossiers on the three
people held responsibility for the fire will soon be handed over
to the Bogor Prosecutors' Office. (21/sur)