Details of Doulos blaze to be revealed on Friday

JAKARTA (JP): The latest results of the police investigation on the Doulos arson attack will be formally released on Friday in the presence of top police officers and the media, National Police Chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, the four-star general said the presentation would be made by Jakarta Police detectives assigned to handle the case.

Both himself and Jakarta Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djadjoesman would attend the meeting, planned to be held at 8 a.m. at National Police Headquarters in South Jakarta, Roesmanhadi said.

"There are too many rumors milling around about this case. Since the police feel that their investigation on the case has been thorough, the results should be disclosed," he explained.

"Reporters will be allowed to witness the presentation as representatives of the public."

Roesmanhadi added that to date, 11 people had been declared suspects in the case.

"What will be revealed during Friday's meeting consists of the criminal and political aspects of the case. The criminal side is quite obvious, since burning and creating such violent chaos is a crime. The political side will also be revealed on Friday."

As reported earlier, the arson attack on the Christian-owned complex in Cipayung, East Jakarta, last Wednesday shocked many people across the capital, which was beginning to enjoy a friendly atmosphere after the series of riots and violent attacks since last year.

Last Wednesday's incident cost the life of one man and injured dozens others.

Police have faithfully guarded the identities of the 11 suspects and the motives of the attack on the 2.7-hectare site owned by the Doulos Foundation.

"The attack was well planned," Noegroho had said, adding that it originated from anger over the conversion of people from other religions to Christianity.

Separately, East Jakarta Mayor Andi Mappaganty reiterated on Thursday that his office would not allow the Doulos Foundation to rebuild the complex unless they could obtain required permits issued by the city administration.

"They must meet the city administration's regulations on land usage in the Cipayung district," the mayor told reporters at City Hall after a meeting with Governor Sutiyoso.

Triggering

Many parties have blamed the foundation for having triggered the anger of the locals as its staff had been intensely active in their Christianization scheme in the complex while they were actually allowed -- according to its function as stated in its existing permit -- only to conduct social activities.

According to Andi, the foundation could rebuild their complex only after they obtained a new permit that changed the land usage of the complex.

"They can rebuild the buildings only if the city authorities decide on the land usage alteration," the mayor added.

Later in the afternoon, city police chief, Noegroho, denied the allegation that his force was too late to stop the local crowd from vandalizing the building and beating the people inside the Doulos complex.

"I was there when the attack occurred and police saved 236 students and patients of the Doulos complex," the two-star police general told city councillors during a meeting.

"The situation at that time was very emotional. The mob even chased my men," Noegroho added.

"Police even managed to apprehend the suspects in less than 24 hours. It is our duty to uphold the law without taking sides," Noegroho added.

Roesmanhadi insisted that his personnel across the country had been alerted to any possible disturbances that might rock certain areas during the Christmas or New Year holidays.

"We've learned from experience that rumors quickly turn into reality and based on that, security forces will be placed near churches and mosques across the capital. The same will apply for the rest of the nation," Roesmanhadi said.

"We are not taking chances this time."

Police would also assign its snipers to safeguard the large volume of travelers and goods passing through the northern coastal main roads that connect the main cities in Java from Christmas to the Idul Fitri holiday.

"The capital will be guarded by 26,409 police officers. Police helicopters will watch over West and Central Java and Jakarta during the holidays," Roesmanhadi said. (ylt/05)