Police chief sacked in Tangerang

Police chief sacked in Tangerang

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): The newly-installed Tangerang
Police Chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna dismissed yesterday the chief
of the Kronjo subprecinct to appease angry residents.

The dismissal of First Lt. Mahyudin Chaniago, with permission
from Greater Jakarta Police Chief. May. Gen. Hamami Nata, was
carried out "to neutralize" a misunderstanding between officers
and residents, Iman told The Jakarta Post.

The incident could be the first test for Iman, who has enjoyed
his new post in Tangerang for only three days. Iman Haryatna was
previously the spokesman for the Greater Jakarta Police.

Hundreds of residents attacked the subprecinct on Wednesday
evening when they heard that a resident had been detained for
praying at the mosque too early in the morning.

All the subprecinct's windows were smashed in the attack.

The deputy of the Jatiuwung police precinct, Second Lt. Harun
Idris, replaced Mahyudin.

The residents' anger began with a police officer's summons to
a resident, Supena, 45, who was reciting the Koran at a mosque
hours before the time for the dawn prayer on Wednesday. Supena
was summoned at around 4 a.m.

Supena went to the police precinct and was received by First
Lt. Mahyudin.

"I was told not to start reading the Koran too early because
sleeping residents could be disturbed," Supena told reporters.
Supena usually starts reciting the Koran at 3 a.m., a resident
said.

"After meeting Mahyudin I was allowed to continue," Supena
said.

Mahyudin also said he told Supena to consider residents who
could only sleep after returning from work at 1 a.m. or 2 a.m.

Rumors circulated Wednesday morning that Supena had been
detained and treated harshly by police. Hundreds of residents
then went to the subprecinct for information.

At 3 p.m. Supena, who was surprised, explained what had
happened, accompanied by the Kronjo district head, the local
representative of the Indonesian Ulema's Council and a councilor.

Mahyudin thought the matter was solved.

But the rumor had spread to the neighboring district of Mauk.
At 9 p.m. hundreds of people started attacking the precinct.
Lt.Col. Iman then led a security operation to prevent further
damage. No one was detained. (28/anr)