Prosecutor hit by former boss in quarrel

TANGERANG (JP): Prosecutor Andi Aco Rumpang was hit at the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office on Saturday by Salubi Siapo, a former employee of the office, after Andi refused to release an acquaintance of Salubi who is detained for embezzlement.

The incident began when Andi, who was in uniform, greeted Salubi, a former high-ranking official at the office, who was walking toward him at about 11 a.m.

Instead of responding to his greeting and without any words of anger, Salubi, who used to be Andi's boss, hit him.

Andi hit Salubi back and the two then became involved in a brawl.

So noisy was the fight that it attracted the attention of Worotikan, head of the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office, who left his office and attempted to put an end to the fight.

Andi said he never thought Salubi would hit him.

Andi explained that the fight was connected to his rejection of Salubi's request that Andi release Evianti Suryani, 29, who is being detained for her alleged involvement in a Rp 282 million swindle.

Evianti, 29, a resident of Tomang Jaya in Pasar Kemis, Tangerang, used to be an employee of PT Buana Jaya and PT Ciater, a subsidiary of PT Cosmos.

Evianti is suspected of producing fake receipts in connection with PT Cosmos' payroll.

She allegedly embezzled money from 1996 through 1998 before being arrested in November last year.

She was detained by officers of the Ciledug Police station in November for embezzlement. After the police completed a dossier on Evianti, her detention was extended by Andi for further questioning.

Salubi telephoned Andi several times, requesting that he release Evianti.

"I've told him (Salubi) that I'm not in charge of the case. I'm just an ordinary employee. If he wants to asks for her release, I've told him to go to the head of the prosecutor's office or the attorney general," Andi said.

Worotikan urged the two to settle their differences amicably.

"They should settle their differences. They can't go on having this fight as they are still under one corps," Worotikan said. (41/emf)