Sofjan admits to having issued documents for smuggled cars

Sofjan admits to having issued documents for smuggled cars

Yogita Tahilramani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

In an inquiry led by National Police generals, Comr. Gen.
Sofjan Jacoeb said on Thursday that he had issued temporary
vehicle documents for 11 Mercedes Benzes, allegedly smuggled in
from Singapore, during and after his term as South Sulawesi
Police chief ended last year.

National Police inspector-general Comr. Gen. Ahwil Luthan said
the two hours of questioning at National Police Headquarters was
a fact-finding session that was part of police investigations
into the nationwide luxury car smuggling ring, which allegedly
involves senior police officers.

Thursday's investigative team grilling the three-star general
comprised Ahwil, security chief to the National Police Chief
Brig. Gen. Mudji H., Special Inspector for the National Police
Inspectorate-General Brig. Gen. Jusuf Muharram, detectives Sr.
Comr. Rizal Zein and Sr. Comr. Riyadi.

Ahwil said, however, that the questioning, which began at
10:40 a.m., carried no legal weight.

"This was not formal questioning. We first need to gather all
the facts before building a case. This is just a part of the
process," Ahwil said, adding that the police would need to gather
the necessary testimonies and evidence before consulting with
National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar about the next steps to
take.

"It's up to the National Police chief to decide. He evaluates
the facts we have gathered and decides whether Comr. Gen. Sofjan
has committed an offense or a mere violation of internal police
regulations."

Sr. Comr. Prasetyo of the National Police Information Center
said on Thursday that should Da'i conclude that a crime was
committed in the case, it would then be forwarded to the National
Police detectives to be formally processed.

"Only then will witnesses be formally called and questioned,
and dossiers be prepared. Once dossiers are completed, they will
be handed over to state prosecutors," Prasetyo told The Jakarta
Post, adding that should the case be considered to be a
violation of internal police regulations, only disciplinary
measures would be taken against Sofjan. Ahwil added that there
was the possibility that the police would summon Sofjan again for
further questioning over the matter.

The probe is unprecedented, considering that it is one of a
handful of criminal cases directly involving police generals who
are investigated by police detectives as required by Police Law
No. 2/2002.

Each provincial police chief is allowed to issue temporary
vehicle documents, which are effective for up to three months,
for security reasons.

Noted criminologist Adrianus Meliala stated that it would be
very difficult for police detectives to put aside their loyalty
to the National Police, and conduct objective questioning of
police officers.

Another criminologist, Mulyana W. Kusumah, said it was
important to establish an independent team, which should not
necessarily involve the police, to investigate this scandal.

Speculation has been rife that the investigation into Sofjan
has more to do with his legal dispute with Da'i over the police
force's mandatory retirement age, and does not necessarily have a
legal motive.