Police tracing link between Kadera manager, attackers

JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Police detectives are focusing their investigation into an attack on striking workers of car upholstery producer PT Kadera AR on an alleged conversation between the firm's deputy general manager and the leader of the attackers.

The police chief of detectives, Adj. Sr. Comr. Agus Irianto, said that during questioning on Tuesday, the company's deputy general manager Amrin Gobel admitted to having talked once with the coordinator of the mob who attacked the striking workers last Thursday.

Amrin, however, said he did not know the man and the conversation was about the latter's invitation to a meeting with Pulogadung Police substation chief of detectives First Insp. Rudi S, according to Agus.

"We will check with Pro-XL cellular phone service provider how many conversations Amrin had with the man. If it turns out that they spoke more than once, we will arrest Amrin," Agus said.

Agus said that if named a suspect, Amrin could be charged with violating Article 170 of the Criminal Code on brawls, which carries a maximum sentence of 12 years in jail.

Hundreds of unidentified people attacked some 400 Kadera workers who were staging a sit-down in the company's plant in Pulogadung industrial estate in East Jakarta, leaving one worker, Kimun Effendi, dead and several injured.

Agus said the police had identified the leader of the attackers, who remains at large.

"We have a picture of the man. He is fat, with dark skin," Agus said, adding that the picture was taken during an antistrike rally near Pulomas horse race track, which preceded the incident. Agus said the police dispersed the gathering, which was attended by some 200 people.

Also questioned on Tuesday was the company's vice president, Rulichi Sudjatim, but Agus said he found no signs of his involvement.

"It would be too far removed to implicate him (Rulichi) because he already asked Amrin to tackle the strike," Agus said.

Twenty people have been questioned in connection with the case so far.

Agus also said that Kimun died from wounds inflicted by shrapnel caused by a gunpowder explosion.

The lawyer accompanying Rulichi and Amrin, Agus Liana of Amir Syamsuddin law office, denied the company management played any role in the attack.

"It would be impossible for the management to pay a group of people to attack the workers. The firm has suffered heavy losses because of the strike," Liana said.

He added that the Japanese investor, who owns 90 percent of the company, had suggested relocating the plant outside of Indonesia following the strike.

The company, set up with an initial investment of US$250 billion, sells 60 percent of its products to Japan. Its annual products are valued at $500 billion. (01)