Debtor claims he was held by force

TANGERANG (JP): A Cisoka resident claims he was forced to spend two nights at the office of a privately owned leasing company after he failed to pay his debt for a new motorcycle he had bought from the firm.

Cecep, 34, a father of two, said he was "released" by PT Balisena Arta Lisindo Wednesday after arriving at the office on Monday.

Balisena denies the charge. "We did not kidnap the man," said Yance, a company spokesman. "It was him who came to us and we, therefore, asked him to pay his debts.

"Afraid that we'd report him to the police, Cecep decided to stay at our office."

Yance said Cecep bought a Honda Astrea from the company a couple of months ago on credit but never paid the monthly installments stipulated in the purchase agreement.

Balisena representatives who went to Cecep found he no longer had the motorcycle.

Cecep said that he had given it to someone called Saban in the neighboring village of Bonar as security for his Rp 1.75 million (US$580) loan.

"We then seized the original vehicle registration document and left Saban with only a copy," Yance said.

When Saban was ticketed in a routine traffic operation recently the police officer wanted to see the original registration document.

The unfortunate Saban rushed to Cecep's house, asking him to solve the problem, said Yance.

Confused, Cecep went to Balisena's office.

The management refused to hand over the vehicle registration document until Cecep paid his debts, said Yance without disclosing the amount.

As Cecep had not paid any money by yesterday Balisena reported the case to the Balaraja police subprecinct. (41/bsr)