Detention center funds approved

JAKARTA: A Jakarta Police spokesman said on Tuesday that the City Council had approved the disbursement of Rp 10 billion (US$961,540) under the 2002 city budget for the setting up of a special detention center for drug abusers and traffickers.

"We expect the money to be disbursed this year as we're in dire need of this type of special detention center," said Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam after a meeting with the council.

The new detention center was needed as the existing detention cells in police stations were overcrowded, he said.

Anton said that suspects in drug-related offenses accounted for 30 percent of the total number of persons being held in police custody.

"Thus far, we can offer no special treatment to them (drug criminals), and just put them in along with other criminals."

With the new special detention center, the police expected that the handling of drug-related crimes would be more effective and comprehensive.

Anton said the new detention center would be able to house between 300 and 400 inmates. -- JP