Councillors nabbed for drugs

TANGERANG: The Tangerang Police arrested on Tuesday two members of the regental council on allegations that they used drugs at a hotel on Jl. Thamrin, Kebon Nanas.

The councillors -- Achmad Moduto and Muhdiar -- both from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) faction, were apprehended along with seven women and a man at the hotel's karaoke lounge.

The police seized from them two ecstasy pills, 0.5 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) and a pipe. The suspects' urine tests confirmed that they had taken drugs.

Tangerang Police deputy chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Aan Suahanan said that seven suspects were detained for further questioning. Moduto and three of the women were released on lack of evidence.

Tangerang Council speaker Dadang Kartasasmita regretted the incident and said there was no need to punish them, as it was their "personal business". -- JP