Serpong police chief still being quizzed

JAKARTA (JP): City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said yesterday that the alleged extortion case involving one of his officers, Capt. Unggul Budi Tetuko, is still being investigated.

"We're still investigating both the officer and the suspected gambler, who the officer is reported to have extorted money from," Hamami told reporters after witnessing the burning of 108,783 Ecstasy pills at the City Police headquarters here.

"We don't want to come to a conclusion as hurriedly as reporters would like us to," said the two-star general. "We are still questioning all parties involved based on the assumption of innocence."

"We'll punish Unggul if he's found guilty and release him if he is proven clean," Hamami said.

According to the preliminary investigation, he said, the case remains unclear whether Unggul extorted money from Pungut Supriyadi, the suspected gambling operator, or if the officer was trapped.

"Let's just see whether Pungut's report is true or false," he said.

Sources said Capt. Unggul, head of the Serpong police sub-precinct in Tangerang, has been detained by the Jakarta Police Internal Affairs division since last Friday for his alleged role in extorting money from Pungut, who is known to be close to high-ranking police officers.

Several different versions of what might have happened have appeared in the local media.

Some reports said that Capt. Unggul was detained after being caught red-handed receiving money from the 70-year-old Pungut, he and his personnel arrested hours before.

The reports said that Unggul had reportedly asked Pungut for Rp 10 million (US$4,255) cash and a 1,000 square meter plot of land and in return promised to release him.

Other reports revealed that the officer was trapped by Pungut, because Unggul had raided his gambling dens in Tangerang many times.

After being released, Pungut reported the alleged extortion to a close friend of his in the Jakarta Police. Unggul was detained shortly after the report was made.

His position as Serpong police sub-precinct head was abruptly handed over two days later to 1st Lieutenant Deddy Prasetyo from Jakarta Police Headquarters.

According to Hamami, Unggul will face a harsh penalty if he is found guilty.

"It's my pledge to keep Jakartans and my personnel in order and I know it's full of risks but I won't give up," he said.

Thus, he said, both Pungut and Unggul could be sentenced if they are found guilty of bribery and extortion respectively. (bsr)