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)