Ex-convict held for drugs

JAKARTA (JP): After being released from the Cipinang jail five months ago, Rodiaman Rachman who had spent nearly two years in jail for the kidnapping of Indonesian tycoon Sjamsul Nursalim, found himself in detention again after he was arrested on Saturday for drug possession.

Tambora, West Jakarta Police subprecinct chief Asst. Supt. Merdisyam confirmed that the brother of movie star Yenni Rachman had been arrested for the possession of 40 grams of shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine).

"He was waiting to make a transaction at a hotel parking lot on Jl. Bandengan Selatan, West Jakarta, on Saturday morning around 8 a.m. We found four packages of shabu-shabu on the back seat of his sedan," Merdisyam said.

The suspect was in a yellow Timor sedan when arrested.

Rodiaman was sentenced to three and a half years in jail in 1998 for kidnapping Sjamsul Nursalim, the owner of Bank Dagang Negara Indonesia and chairman of Gajah Tunggal business group.

In the kidnapping on Sept. 2, 1997, Rodiaman who was working with six accomplices, kept Sjamsul hostage for three days.

Merdisyam said Rodiaman was released from the Cipinang penitentiary, East Jakarta, five months ago.

When arrested on Saturday Rodiaman initially denied that the drugs were his.

"But after his lawyer came, he admitted that the drugs belonged to him. He claimed that he got the drugs from his friend in prison five months ago just as he was about to be released from jail," Merdisyam said.

Rodiaman could be charged of violating Article 62 of Law No.5/1997 on psychotropic substances which carries a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and a maximum fine of Rp 100 million (US$11,111). (dja)