Gowa regent at 'drug party' but denies involvement
Gowa regent at 'drug party' but denies involvement
Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar
The regent of Gowa district in South Sulawesi province, who has been implicated in a high-profile drug case, admitted on Monday he was at the five-star hotel room, when local police were involved in a raid there against narcotics abusers.
However, the regent, Syahrul Yasin Limpo denied any involvement in the drug case at the Sedona Hotel in the provincial capital Makassar, which also implicated a local legislator, a businessman and two girls.
Syahrul bowed to a police summons for questioning on Monday morning as a witness in connection with the case amid tight security at the provincial police headquarters.
He arrived at 7:30 a.m. in his sports car accompanied by his lawyer Andi Rudiyanto Asapah. The regent was later quizzed in a tiny, spartan interrogation room.
"We are questioning Pak (Mr) Syahrul today as a witness, but there is a possibility of declaring him a suspect depending on the results of the investigation of the other suspects," said South Sulawesi Police Chief Detective Great Commissioner Ahmad Abdi.
Syahrul was arrested on Nov. 15, 2001 along with local legislator Ansar Bate of the Golkar Party, businessman Sahabuddin Sewang and two girls named Ayu and Rina, when police raided room 1009 at the hotel.
During the drug search, the police found shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) at the room and confiscated paraphernalia and other illicit drugs from suspects.
Ansar, Sahabuddin and Rina have been named as suspects after a medical examination found them positive for the use of shabu- shabu.
Lawyer Rudiyanto and local police chief detective Commissioner Darma L. confirmed that Syahrul admitted to being in room 1009 when the police entered.
"But he was unaware, nor realized that (his friends were having) a shabu party there," Rudiyanto added.
He said his client was apparently relaxed while answering the 23 questions from police investigators and that the probe proceeded smoothly for over two hours.
Unlike previous similar investigations, photo journalists were barred from taking pictures of Syahrul during the tightly guarded inquiry. Other reporters were not even allowed near the area.
After the questioning, Syahrul appeared pale and was rushed to his car in order to avoid speaking with journalists. "Ask your questions to the investigators," he hastily told reporters.
Also seen among his security entourage were noted soccer TV presenter Andi Darussalam Tabusala, who is also an executive of the All-Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), and local legislator Ilham Arief Siradjuddin.
Ahmad Abdi, who directly witnessed the investigation, denied a statement by Syahrul's lawyer that Monday was the last interrogation of his client.
The regent will face further questioning in the near future, Abdi added.
South Sulawesi Police chief Inspector General Firman Gani pledged that his office would thoroughly investigate the drug case involving Syahrul and other local figures.
"There is still a possibility that Syahrul and Ayu, who both are now witnesses, could become suspects. In dealing with the Sedona Hotel case, we will sincerely uphold the supremacy of the law without any discrimination."
Ansar, Sahabuddin and Rina were also questioned separately later on Monday at the same police headquarters.
Ansar was questioned for more than two hours, after which he also refused to speak with journalists.
His lawyer Amirullah Thahir said his client denied using shabu and said that his presence in room 1009 was merely to discuss a business deal with Sahabuddin. "He was talking about a development project in Gowa," Amirullah added.
He said Ansar was having dinner when the police raided the room. Asked about the results of the police's laboratory test that found him positive for crystal methamphetamine, the lawyer diplomatically claimed: "I haven't seen it."
Despite becoming suspects, Ansar, Sahabuddin and Rina were not in custody as they are not considered flight risks. Ahmad Abdi said their detention still depends on further investigations.