Tue, 02 Sep 2003

Squatters protest Mayor Sarimun

JAKARTA: Hundreds of squatters staged a rally in front of West Jakarta Mayoralty on Monday, protesting Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputra for issuing an eviction order against them.

The squatters claim the owner of the one-hectare plot next to Mal Taman Anggrek shopping center, Munawar Salbini, permitted them to occupy and cultivate the land.

The mayor, upon the request of private firms PT Sinar Slipi Sejahtera, PT Bank Dewa Rudji and PT Surya Dewata, which have claimed the land, has issued three eviction orders, urging the squatters to vacate the plot.

The squatters have vowed not to leave the land and have ignored the mayor's order, because they were there by permission of the landowner, city news portal beritajakarta.com reported.

Munawar and the private firms have been embroiled in a legal dispute over the land, but it is unclear whether the issue has been settled. -- JP

;JP;MLT; ANPAj..r.. Focus-drug-maker-arrest Ecstasy pill maker arrested JP/8/PILL

Ecstasy pill maker arrested

TANGERANG: Tangerang Police have arrested a man for allegedly producing ecstasy pills at his home in Mekarsari subdistrict, Neglasari district.

Police apprehended the suspect, identified as Iwan Setiadi, on Sunday night and seized eight Ecstasy pills, raw chemical materials and equipment to mold the pills.

Iwan, 23, admitted the equipment was bought from his friend, identified as Jimy, who was still at large, and planned to produce the pills, which would be sold for Rp 60,000 (US$7) each.

Tangerang Police narcotics division head Adj. Comr. Zaenuddin said Monday that police were still hunting for Iwan's accomplices, including Jimy. -- JP

;JP;SUFA; ANPAj..r.. Focusr-traffic-accicdent Students injured for reckless ride JP/8/GREAT

Students injured in reckless ride

BOGOR: Three junior high school students suffered serious injuries on Monday morning after they were hit by a truck on Jl. Raya Lido, Bogor regency.

The three students Beni, 12, Deni, 13, and Idris Sandi, 12, are all from Pasir Buncir village, Caringin district, Bogor, and students at Harapan Cijeruk junior high school.

Eyewitness Sopandi said the three students were speeding on a motorcycle when Idris lost control and hit a Toyota Kijang van, which quickly fled the scene of the accident when Deni was thrown from the motorcycle. A truck approaching from the opposite direction then hit the motorcycle, seriously injuring Idris and Beni.

The three were rushed to Ciawi hospital, where they remain in critical condition.

Ciawi Police are currently questioning the truck driver, Erianto, and said they would search for the Kijang driver. -- JP