Police name 13 suspects in July 27 case

Police name 13 suspects in July 27 case

BOGOR (JP): The National Police have named 13 suspects, five
of whom have been detained, in the July 27, 1996, bloody takeover
of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) headquarters, an
official said on Wednesday.

"Police have questioned 70 people in connection with the PDI
headquarter's takeover.

"We have concluded 13 of them are suspects, five of whom have
been detained," National Police's general crime detective chief
Brig. Gen. Engkesman Rangkeong Hillep said after the closing of a
nationwide detectives technical meeting, attended by 110 officers
in Cisarua, Bogor.

Engkesman, who spoke to reporters after being given approval
by National Police chief Lt. Gen. Rusdihardjo, said the probe
included the questioning of 13 police officer as eyewitnesses to
the incident.

Earlier Rusdihardjo, who closed the session, said "it is time
for the police to stand up for the truth and function purely as
investigators".

"In the past, it was impossible to investigate the July 27
case, or even to arrest or touch a figure like Bob Hasan," the
three-star general said, referring to the country's timber tycoon
who is being questioned in an US$87 million corruption scandal.

The National Police chief has already questioned three
generals and two colonels in connection with the investigation
into the July 27 melee.

The top police brass questioned include former National Police
chief Gen. Dibyo Widodo, former Central Jakarta Police chief
Brig. Gen. Aboebakar Nataprawira, former Jakarta Police chief
Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata, former chief of the city police
operational control Col. John Lallo and former city police chief
of detectives Col. Paimin.

The National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas) announced in
September 1996 that five people died, 149 were injured and 23
were still missing in the July 27 riots, which broke out
immediately after the party's headquarters were taken over.

Detective work

Rusdihardjo urged detectives to improve their performances and
"not to bow to superior's orders just to please them and twist
the truth".

"Detective work is the core business of the police. If you
fail to do so ... if you screw up a case or fail to take firm
action against criminals, you will lose the people's trust."

Of a total of 14,000 detectives throughout the country, only
13,000 of them are able to conduct proper investigations, he
said. "In several regions, only 25 percent of the total detective
personnel are able to perform their duties. The main problem is
the quality of human resources," Rusdihardjo said.

He also reminded his subordinates to stick to the code of
ethics and rules when performing their duties.

"If we want to move forward, this is the time. Do not be
afraid because as investigators we are independent," the general
said.

"I don't want detectives to be played around with, having to
take orders from provincial or district police chiefs. Enough is
enough. We have been bullied for over 32 years."

Rusdihardjo also said that he had instructed chiefs of all
provincial police headquarters to arrest and prosecute business
speculators, who have allegedly stored kerosene in their
warehouses, pending the government's announcement on oil prices
hike. (21/ylt/edt)