Man shot for daring to argue with officer

JAKARTA (JP): Three conflicting versions have been given in Saturday's shooting of an unofficial parking attendant by a public security and order (Kamtibmas) officer.

Herman Panjaitan, 22, remains under observation at Persahabatan Hospital in East Jakarta.

Herman, who usually operates in the Plumpung area of East Jakarta, said he was shocked when a man he knew as Sgt. Maj. Suhardi shot him in the ankle.

"I was surprised. You see, I know Bapak Suhardi very well. He is posted in the area where I usually take care of the parking lots on Jl. H. Kaiman in Rawa Bunga subdistrict," Herman told The Jakarta Post at the hospital on Sunday afternoon.

"He came up to me and we were talking. Suddenly, for no reason at all, he said that I was trying to argue with him. I got scared and said sorry. He pushed my right shoulder down and forced me to squat.

"He then pointed his pistol at my right ankle and shot me."

A report filed by East Jakarta Police detectives said the shooting happened on the crossover bridge in Plumpung.

It stated that Suhardi was involved in a dispute with Herman and went up to the bridge.

He reportedly tried to shoot Herman but the bullet hit the asphalt and ricocheted into his ankle.

A Jakarta Police report released on Sunday provided another version.

Suhardi fired a warning shot into the air but it struck overhanging cable wires, bouncing off the pavement and hitting Herman, the report said.

In another shooting on Saturday afternoon, a 26-year-old man was shot in his left thigh and stomach at Cipete Market in South Jakarta after robbing a shopper.

Ulit, alias Joli, was shot after he robbed Beni, 60, a retired National Police officer, of a 10 gram gold ring, a South Jakarta Police officer who identified himself as Andre said.

"I cannot give you Pak Beni's full name because it is a confidential matter. Ulit robbed him of the gold ring. It was fortunate that second sergeants Hengki and Tobing were passing by," Andre told the Post.

"Hengki shot several warning shots into the air, but Ulit kept on running. In the end, he was shot. Ulit is out of danger. He was operated on Saturday night.

"We confiscated nine knives and the gold ring from Ulit." (ylt)