Musician arrested for carrying gun

JAKARTA (JP): Police took noted jazz musician Idang Rasyidi into custody for the possession of an unregistered handgun, an officer said on Tuesday.

South Jakarta Police chief of detectives Sr. Insp. Achmad Alwi said the 39-year-old keyboardist was taken into custody last Saturday at his house in East Pamulang, South Jakarta.

Alwi denied speculation the musician had been placed under arrest, although he was still being kept at the station as of Tuesday night.

"That's right. He is still in our hands. However, we only need clarification from him about the matter," he told The Jakarta Post.

The musician, the former host of the popular Berpacu Dalam Melodi musical quiz show, was taken to the station following an incident near his home in the Villa Inti Persada housing complex.

The incident began as an argument with a security guard from the housing complex and soon escalated as local youths came to the support of the security guard.

The musician then brandished a FN 22 handgun to frighten the youths and the security guard, Alwi said.

Upon learning of the incident, local residents reported Idang to the police.

A number of officers arrived at Idang's home and escorted the musician, who often appears on Indosiar's Tembang Kenangan musical show, to the police station.

When asked if the musician would be prosecuted, Alwi said the police were still conducting an investigation.

"We have not charged him yet. The investigation is still ongoing," he said. (asa)