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.