Pekanbaru legislator abducted

Pekanbaru legislator abducted

PEKANBARU, Riau: M. Kasren, a legislator of the local chapter of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) at the Pekanbaru Legislative Council was abducted by 10 unidentified men on Tuesday.

Eyewitnesses said Kasren was abducted when he was reading the Koran at the municipal legislature's secretariat.

"The abduction happened so quickly that administrative staff and security guards could not prevent it," said an eyewitness.

According to another witness who requested anonymity, the staff did nothing to prevent the incident because one of the abductors introduced himself as a member of PDI Perjuangan.

"It is an internal party matter," the witness quoted the abductor as saying.

The witness said Kasren was rushed away by his abductors in a jeep escorted by motorcycles.

Suroso, deputy chairman of the legislative council, regretted the abduction, saying the action has tarnished the party's image.

The local police are still searching for Kasren while investigating the case. -- JP