Police escape trashing over riot
Police escape trashing over riot
Theresia Sufa, The Jakarta Post/Bogor
Six police officers, who were found guilty of using unnecessary
violence during the Nov. 22 protest at the Bojong waste treatment
facility in Bogor, have only been punished with administrative
sanctions.
The ruling was read out by the chairman of the police
disciplinary committee, Comr. Rastra Gunawan, at Bogor Police
Headquarters on Thursday.
The six defendants -- Second Insp. Parlaungan Simatupang of
the Cileungsi Police subprecinct, Second Brig. Ahmad Walyuhri, Second
Brig. Asep Saepul, Second Brig. Agus Gunawan, Second Brig. Sutopo
and Second Brig. Roy Mustapa Dewa Samudra, all from the Bogor
Police -- were found guilty of disciplinary violations under
Article 7 of the Police Code of Conduct.
Therefore, Rastra said, the disciplinary committee recommended
that the six officers be transferred.
"It will be up to the Bogor Police chief to decide what
position will be given to them after receiving our
recommendation," he said.
The hearing was closely followed by the media, while police
officers appeared to rally around their colleagues facing the
disciplinary committee.
Bogor Police chief Sr. Comr. Bambang Wasgito had earlier
slammed the media for what he termed their "unfair news coverage". He argued
that the police had been subjected to "psychological pressure"
during the bloody clash and responded accordingly.
The Nov. 22 protest marked the culmination of protests against
the waste treatment plant, with people in the area expressing
fears that it would damage the environment and endanger their
health.
Six people were wounded when police officers opened fire on
the protesters. This took place after some of the protesters
attacked the plant.
The facility has the capacity to process 2,000 tons out of
6,000 tons of waste that Jakarta produces every day, with an
additional 400 tons coming from Bogor.
The plant operator, PT Wira Guna Sejahtera, said it would take
at least a month to repair the damage to the Rp 110 billion
(US$12.23 million) facility. The incident has cost the company
some Rp 8 billion.
Eighteen residents have been charged as suspects in the case
and their case files submitted to the Cibinong Prosecutor's
Office.