'Reza fled airport to evade media'

Multa Fidrus and Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta/Tangerang

Singer Reza Artamevia was not kidnapped but fled the Soekarno- Hatta International Airport to avoid journalists who had been waiting for her, an airport security official said on Thursday.

"As soon as she saw journalists waiting at the airport's terminal IIF lobby, she immediately went upstairs to the departure area and took a taxi there," public area airport security chief HM. Anis Tokan said.

Reza had just arrived at the airport from a show in Surabaya with five people from her management.

Quoting one of his security guards, Sudirman, who was in charge at the departure area, Anis said that Reza was seen climbing the stairs from the arrival area downstairs before stopping a taxi.

"She hopped into the taxi while talking on her cell phone and she was not carrying anything," he said. "Actually, taxis are not allowed to take passengers from the departure area but since Sudirman recognized her as a celebrity, he just let her go."

Since rising to stardom in 1997 with her debut album Keajaiban (Miracle), Reza has stolen public attention with her marriage to celebrity-cum-legislator Adjie Massaid and greater success in her singing career.

But the diva's real-life soap opera turned bitter following a broken marriage, verbal attacks between Reza and Adjie and a custody battle over their children.

The latest "episode" saw Reza go missing at the airport and Adjie claiming that he had received threats on his cell phone.

The Jakarta Police, which are now investigating the case, were dismayed that Reza lawyer Damayanti Singgih, who was among the five people with Reza before she went missing, did not show up for questioning.

"Damayanti had told chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang that she agreed to be questioned today at 10 a.m. We have been waiting for her and the other four people from Reza management but they have not come," said city police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono.

Instead, she demanded the police issue a summons for the five witnesses.