Details of Doulos blaze to be revealed on Friday

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)