Naval staff to be questioned for attacking vendors

JAKARTA (JP): Jakarta Military Police are to question a group of 20 Navy personnel about their alleged role in an attack on vegetable vendors at Kebayoran Lama market in South Jakarta on Friday, an official said yesterday.

The Jakarta Garrison Assistant for Operational Affairs Col. Marciano N. said that all of the men allegedly involved in the attack were currently being held by their superiors.

"We've asked their commanders to bring the men into the Jakarta Military Police Headquarters for further questioning today," Marciano told The Jakarta Post.

The detained men, he said, were low-ranking naval personnel who worked as drivers and logistics staff at the Navy Staff and Command School (Seskoal) in Cipulir, South Jakarta.

"None of them were Seskoal cadets," Marciano added.

He promised that none of the alleged attackers would be released without punishment because information gathered from the police and witnesses confirmed that some of the detainees were definitely involved in the incident.

"But so far we still have no idea who from among the suspects is guilty and who is not.

"So please wait for further results. But I tell you this, stiff action will be taken against the men found guilty because they severely injured two people," Marciano said.

If found guilty, the men will be charged under Article 351 of the Criminal Code for abuse which carries a maximum sentence of two years and eight months in prison.

"But besides this (criminal) charge, they will also face a military punishment which could range from discharge without honor to detention," Marciano said.

Two men were injured in the attack, which took place at midnight on Friday, when the group -- wearing Naval uniforms and armed with bayonets -- jumped out of a truck and attacked vendors in Kebayoran Lama market. Two vendors suffered serious stab wounds in the attack.

The attack is believed to have been in reaction to reports that a drunken plainclothes Naval officer was beaten by vendors the day before after he disrupted the market by overturning tables and kicking produce.

"Both the injured men, Pujingan, 27 and M. Rochim, 21, are gradually recovering from their injuries," Marciano added. (edt)