Police investigating molotov case

JAKARTA: Pulo Gadung Police are still investigating the seizure of 24 molotov cocktails from a flat in Pulo Mas apartment block, East Jakarta, last Friday, an official announced.

"We have yet to find the suspects but we have named four people as witnesses," Adj. Comr. Syamsu Rizal, the subprecinct chief, told The Jakarta Post on Sunday, adding that the witnesses would soon be questioned.

The four witnesses are two local security guards at the apartment, namely Mujo and Adi, as well as Budi and Supriyanto, who live next to the apartment.

Pulo Gadung Police staged a raid on the fifth floor of Pulo Mas apartment block following a report from several residents.

However, the police officers found no people at the place, but seized 24 molotov cocktails, which were later sent to Jakarta Police forensic laboratory early last Saturday to undergo further tests.

The bombs were allegedly made several weeks ago as gasoline in the bottle had already mixed with rain water.

"We suspect the molotov cocktails were to be used for fights among residents," said Syamsu, adding that a number of residents of the Pulo Mas apartment block had already been involved in mass brawls with nearby residents on several occasions.

A mass brawl occurred between residents of the Pulo Mas apartment block with those of neighboring Kampung Nangka about half an hour before the police raided the apartment. --JP