Maluku councilor named suspect

AMBON, Maluku: Provincial police stepped up an investigation on Friday into a Maluku councillor who was reportedly caught carrying two assembled bombs last month.

"Darul Qutni Tuhepali, a member of the provincial council from the United Development Party (PPP), has been declared a suspect in a case of illegal possession of weaponry," Maluku Police chief Brig. Gen. Firman Gani said here on Friday.

The police have submitted a letter to the Ministry of Home Affairs requesting permission to continue with the legal process and the investigation into the councilor, he said.

Darul was allegedly caught red-handed in possession of assembled bombs by joint security forces -- comprising marines, the Air Force's Special Force (Paskhas) and the Army's Special Force (Kopassus) -- during a sweeping operation in the Mardika area on Jan. 19.

"However, we have a bit of a problem since the Army has not yet handed over the evidence (the bombs)," Firman said.

Illegal possession of weaponry is covered under the Emergency Law and carries a maximum sentence of 12 years imprisonment.

Maluku Governor Saleh Latuconsina also said on Friday that he had reported the case and several other recent incidents in Maluku to the minister of home affairs and the Indonesian Military (TNI) commander in a recent visit to Jakarta.(edt/49)