Police tracing link between Kadera manager, attackers

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)