Cars damaged as gangs clash in Medan
Cars damaged as gangs clash in Medan
MEDAN, North Sumatra: Rival groups of youths clashed in the North Sumatra capital of Medan on Friday morning, damaging several vehicles. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
A similar brawl took place three days ago near the site of Friday's incident, killing at least one person and wounding several others.
The motive behind Friday's brawl was not clear, but witnesses said the clash happened after Subuh dawn prayers when groups of teenagers took a leisurely walk on the Mandala toll road.
A number of cars were damaged during the brawl as youths pelted stones at their rivals.
Police personnel, who happened to be passing the area on the way to Tanjung Morawa district, broke up the fight and chased several brawlers. However, no arrests were reported.
Traffic returned to normal on the Mandala toll road after the warring gangs left the area. --Antara
Police raid firecracker producers
MAGELANG, Central Java: Police in the town of Kedu, Central Java, raided several houses in Bogeman village where residents were suspected of producing firecrackers and some VCD rental shops selling pornographic films in Magelang.
"Police launched raids on residences there because they were suspected of producing firecrackers to be sold during Ramadhan," Kedu Police chief Bambang Tjahyono said on Thursday in Magelang.
He said thousands of firecrackers and dozens of kilograms of explosive powder and other substances were confiscated during the raid launched on Wednesday night.
"All the evidence has been secured by the local police," he said, adding that suspects would either be jailed or fined.
Bambang said police also had earlier raided VCD rental shops selling pornographic films on Tuesday night in Kemirirejo village, Magelang subdistrict.
"These operations were launched to help create a conducive environment for Muslims during the fasting month of Ramadhan," he added.
In Pamekasan regency on Madura island, police launched a similar raid and managed to seize thousands of firecrackers.
The raid proceeded smoothly as street vendors did not resist when security forces moved into the area and forcibly took their wares.
Pamekasan Police chief H. Sumoro said the operation was authorized by the East Java and Madura Regional Police commanders.
"We warn traders to stop selling firecrackers because they not only disturb the composure of fasting Muslims, but also pose a danger to the public," Sumoro added. --Antara
Drugs, counterfeit money destroyed
MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: Prosecutors in the South Sulawesi capital of Makassar said on Friday they had burned and destroyed Rp 7 million in counterfeit bank notes and 4,910 ecstasy pills.
Also destroyed were 1,594 kilograms of shabu shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and 1,125 grams of marijuana on Thursday.
M. Yusuf Handoko, chief attorney overseeing general crimes in the province, said the destruction was witnessed by senior local government officials and other relevant parties.
Other evidence that was also destroyed included 19 cigarette lighters, 14 bottles and 39 shabu shabu inhalers.
Yusuf said the drugs had been confiscated as evidence from 109 drug criminals, whose legal verdicts had already been issued.
Before destroying the evidence, he said, his office verified whether the cases had been closed. --Antara
Watch thief jailed for 18 months
BENGKULU: A 20-year old construction worker, Juki, has been sentenced to 18-months imprisonment by the Bengkulu District Court for stealing watches and cigarettes valued at Rp 700,000.
The sentence handed down on Thursday was more lenient than that demanded by prosecutor Radjagukguk, who wanted the defendant jailed for two years.
However, the penalty for Juki was the same as the 18-month sentence for former president Soeharto's fugitive son Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, who was convicted in a Rp 90 billion graft case.
Judge Bentia Samosir, who presided over Juki's trial, said the defendant was found guilty of breaking into a watch shop belonging to Zuwarman in Bengkulu and stealing merchandise.
Juki was proven guilty of stealing 102 watches and 12 packs of cigarettes on Aug. 17, 2001, along with his friends named as Joni, Heriansya and Mustar, who are still at large.
The judge said that after the defendant stole the watches, he asked another friend Rolin to help sell them for between Rp 6,000 and 7,000 each.
Bentia said the panel of judges gave Juki a heavy sentence considering that the defendant had previously been imprisoned on a similar charge. --Antara
Police hunt child rape suspect
SAMARINDA, East Kalimantan: Police in Samarinda Ulu subdistrict have launched a manhunt for the main suspect in a child rape case, who is believed to be hiding out in a remote area along the Mahakam river.
"We have set up a task force to hunt down and capture the mastermind of the rape case," Samarinda Police chief Setiyanto said on Friday.
He said his personnel had arrested four other youths aged between 17 and 20, who were accused of sexually assaulting an unnamed 14-year old girl.
Meanwhile, the main suspect identified only as Dian is still at large, but is believed to be hiding at his father's workplace near the Mahakam river.
"The police have to find Dian because he is the mastermind of the abominable act," Setiyanto said. --Antara
IKIP wants new rector installed
GORONTALO, North Sulawesi: Lecturers, students and staff members at the Gorontalo State Teachers Training Institute (IKIP) questioned on Friday the unclear plans for the swearing-in ceremony of their newly elected rector.
Nelson Pomalingo had been elected as new IKIP rector on March 19, 2001, defeating contenders Mansur Pateda and Rifin Arsad. But it was not clear when the new rector would be installed.
Abas Kaluku, one of the protesting academics, urged the central government to soon install the new Gorontalo IKIP rector to stop uncertainty and allay concerns among lecturers and the staff there.
Under current regulations, Abas said, the elected candidate would not automatically be approved by the Ministry of National Education, which can legally appoint one of the two other contenders, Abas said.
He said he and other lecturers would accept the decision of the central government on the appointment of the IKIP rector as long as the installation of the rector is brought forward.--Antara