Prison fails to report detainee's escape to police

JAKARTA (JP): Police have not been notified that a detainee of Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta escaped while being escorted by prison guards to Graha Medika Hospital in Kebun Jeruk, West Jakarta, on March 13.

The escapee, Tjong Yan Men, alias Hartono Theo, was due in court the next day.

West Jakarta deputy police chief Maj. Syafril Nursal said on Wednesday that the West Jakarta Police had not even heard of the matter.

"We don't even know who Hartono Theo is. If we had received this news from the penitentiary before, we would have certainly searched for him," Syafril told The Jakarta Post.

"This is a serious case. We will definitely look into this matter."

The verdict on the 48-year-old defendant in a foreign currency fraud case was scheduled to be read at the North Jakarta District Court on March 24.

The North Jakarta Police station, under whose jurisdiction the North Jakarta District Court falls, has not been informed of Hartono's escape either.

North Jakarta Police chief of operational control Maj. Bayu said on Thursday that he too had not received any news on the matter.

"I have not heard anything about this ... where did you hear this from? I'm surprised Salemba (penitentiary) or the North Jakarta District Court did not report this to us," Bayu told the Post.

Similarly, Central Jakarta Police chief of detectives Maj. Hendra Suhartiyono said his office had not received any request for help from Salemba Penitentiary regarding the escaped prisoner.

"Procedurally, it's the penitentiary's responsibility to recapture the prisoner.

"If the penitentiary needs help from the police it should file a formal request for help (DPO) with the Central Jakarta Police station," Hendra said.

Hartono had been detained at the penitentiary for about one month. He had complained of frequent headaches and chest pain.

"Due to his sickness, Dr. Juniarto at the penitentiary gave him a permit to go to a hospital," warden Bambang Krisbanu said.

"According to procedure, he was supposed to be taken to National Police Kramatjati Hospital in East Jakarta, but Hartono said the doctor who usually took care of him practiced at Graha Medika Hospital."

According to a source, just as the penitentiary's officers were about to escort a handcuffed Hartono into Graha Medika Hospital, a woman caught their eye.

"When they turned around, Hartono was gone," the source said. (nvn/06/09/ylt)