Police charge unlicensed gunner

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

As suspect Raja Sapta failed to produce ownership documents for his firearms, the police charged him with Emergency Law No. 12/1951, Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Firman Gani said on Wednesday.

"It is confirmed that Raja does not have ownership papers for the guns in his possession. The law on emergency carries a maximum sentence of 20 years' imprisonment for offenders," he said.

Firman also confirmed the suspect was the son of Oesman Sapta, a People's Consultative Assembly member and leader of the Regional United Party (PPD).

"We will continue the legal processing of the suspect, regardless of his father's position in the state institution," he said.

Raja, 30, has been detained at the South Jakarta Police station since Monday for unlicensed possession of an FN 9 millimeter and a Colt .38 and for pointing the guns at Emir Manoppo, a security guard at Tee Box Cafe on Jl. Wijaya II, South Jakarta.

A friend, Moris Ambarista, 22, is also implicated in the crime.

The incident was sparked by Raja, who was allegedly drunk and started a brawl in the cafe's parking lot with another customer.

Emir tried to calm him down and asked him to leave the premises, but Raja became upset and pushed Emir to the ground.

He then took out a gun and aimed it at Emir's leg, pulling the trigger five times, but it did not discharge, although it was loaded with two bullets.

Raja was restrained by other security guards and police officers -- a police station is located down the road from the cafe -- who also seized his guns and ammunition.

Raja's case is the third involving civilians carrying firearms within a month.