Man robbed of van by uniformed men

JAKARTA (JP): A 26-year-old businessman was robbed of his vehicle by five people in Indonesian Military (TNI) uniforms early Monday morning in Pondok Indah, South Jakarta, the Jakarta Police spokesman said.

Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Monday that Dirham was driving his metallic gray Kijang van on Jl. Arteri when the men stopped him and told him to get out of vehicle.

"Dirham was scared so he got out of his vehicle. When he did, he was threatened by the five men, and they made off with his van," Zainuri said.

"The case is being handled by city police detectives. Up to this point, they have no clue to who these five men are."

Asked for comment, a TNI spokesman, Lt. Col. Nachrowi, said on Monday that soldiers did not have the right to handle traffic matters or penalize people for traffic violations.

"Those are police matters. City residents must know that they have every right to ask the military officer to show his or her identification when something like this happens," Nachrowi said.

Meanwhile, a man hacked off the right hand of Navy First Pvt. Afrizal for reportedly telling him and his friends to quiet down.

Zainuri said that Afrizal was passing Jl. Raya Cilincing, North Jakarta, at about 1 a.m., when he saw five men making a commotion while riding their motorcycles.

"Afrizal said that he told them to stop their motorcycles and to calm down. The five men became angry and one of them took out a butcher knife, and chopped off Afrizal's hand. The five guys then rode off," Zainuri said.

Afrizal is being treated at Husni Thamrin Hospital in Central Jakarta and could not be reached for comment. (ylt)