JP/8/g-arrest

Suspicious man arrested at council

JAKARTA: A 40-year-old man claiming to be an eviction victim and hoping to lodge a complaint at the City Council, was arrested by a security guard as he attempted to force his way into the council compound.

City Council Security Chief Mauladi said Derman Purba was arrested because he ignored the warnings from several security personnel not to drive into the compound with his kijang van.

"He even shouted profanity at us while driving in," Mauladi said, adding that Derman also ignored the order to stop when he reached the City Council basement.

Derman was taken to the Gambir police subprecinct for questioning, a half kilometer away from City Council building on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta.

His identity card said he was residing in Palmerah, West Jakarta and working as a journalist.

Derman said he ignored the warnings because he wanted to meet a councillor to convey his personal opposition to the recent eviction of poor people in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta. --JP

Sutiyoso hopeful on Bantar Gebang

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso expressed his optimism that he would be able to successfully negotiate with the Bekasi municipal administration for the planned extension of the Bantar Gebang garbage dump contract, despite increasing calls from several Bekasi councillors to terminate the contract.

Sutiyoso said he had several times held talks with the Bekasi mayor to discuss various issues, including the dump, to forge cooperation.

"I don't believe Bekasi will end the contract since the administration does not have strong reasons to do it. We even plan to expand our cooperation on how to make use of the garbage," he said.

A number of Bekasi councillors called on the mayor on Tuesday not to extend the contract because of the deteriorating environment in the area. Jakarta dumps around 6,000 tons of garbage there each day.

Jakarta experienced a garbage crisis in late 2001 when the Bekasi administration closed the dump because of environmental concerns. -- JP