Serpong police chief still being quizzed

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)