Gowa regent faces police questioning over drug case
Jupriadi, The Jakarta Post, Makassar
South Sulawesi police are to investigate Gowa Regent Syahrul Yasin Limpo as a witness in an illegal drug case involving his companions, a lawmaker, a businessman and two girls.
After repeated denials last Thursday, South Sulawesi Police Chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani admitted on Monday that Regent Syahrul, a prominent youth leader in South Sulawesi, was found among the five people and arrested by police during an anti-drug operation in a five-star hotel last Thursday.
"There is a possibility that he (Syahrul) will be declared a suspect pending the police investigation results," Firman said Monday in a press conference in Makassar, the capital of South Sulawesi province.
Firman was accompanied by Deputy Police Chief Brig. Gen. Wilhelmus Laturette and Sr. Comr. Setiada Purnomo, chief of the detective unit.
"Syahrul was in room 1009 at Sedona Hotel when the party of five was arrested while using shabu-shabu (crystal methamphetamine) last Thursday," Firman said.
The party consisted of Syahrul, Ansar Beta, a member of the Gowa legislature (DPRD), construction businessman Sahabuddin and two girls Ayu and Rina, he said.
"Ansar Beta, Sahabuddin and Rina are now being interrogated as suspects, while Pak Syahrul and Ayu are being investigated as witnesses," he said.
None of the five are currently in custody.
Syahrul, admitting that police officers were questioning him, claimed that he was in Room 1001 when police authorities broke into Room 1009.
"I booked Room 1001 and I was there in my room when police authorities got into room 1009 and arrested those who were smoking shabu-shabu," Syahrul told The Jakarta Post.
He, however, shrugged off the need for him to file a complaint and lawsuit against police authorities for violating his privacy and tarnishing his public image.
"I wouldn't sue the police because I do not want the issue to drag on and spread," he claimed.
Acting on a tip given by hotel staff, police authorities stormed into Sedona Hotel room 1009 last Thursday and found some of the guests smoking shabu-shabu.
Ecstasy pills were found in the pockets and bags belonging to Ansar, Rina, Ayu and Sahabuddin, prompting police officers to take the four of them to the local police precinct for further questioning and urine tests.
"Based on the result of their urine tests, Anshar Beta, Sahabuddin and Rina were proven to have taken the shabu-shabu, Ayu's result was negative, while Pak Syahrul was declared negative for the drug," Firman said.
He said the three found positive of using shabu-shabu were declared suspects, and are now undergoing intensive questioning.
Firman also apologized for earlier turning away journalists wanting to confirm the case, saying police officers, including himself, were confused since one of those arrested was the regent who is also a public figure.
"As a private citizen and police chief I would like to take this opportunity to apologize for the incident," he said.
Asked to comment on Syahril's insistence that he was in his room number 1001 when the police broke into room 1009, Firman said the regent was entitled to his own opinion.
Meanwhile, South Sulawesi Governor H.Z.B. Palaguna said he would leave the case to the police.
"We will just wait for the results of the police investigation," he said, adding that no one is above the law.
Police authorities have promised a thorough investigation into the case involving the government officials and the businessman.
Police are also waiting for permission from Palaguna to investigate the DPRD member Ansar. The police sent a letter to the governor on Monday requesting such permission.