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