Students protest escape of Bogor inmate

BOGOR (JP): Around 25 students, calling themselves the Bogor Communication Forum for Moslem Students, demanded yesterday better management of the Prosecutor's Office, which they said was responsible for the escape of a prisoner.

The demonstrating students at the Cibinong office referred to Erling Doly Wijaya alias Mikel, who disappeared from Paledang Prison on Friday. The escapee was accompanied by two employees of the Prosecutor's Office.

Mikel was one of two defendants in the Jagorawi toll road robbery and murder case in which a treasurer, Zaenuddin Lubis, was killed on Oct. 11 last year.

The students arrived around 10 a.m. and displayed banners and posters. One read, "Who is the puppet player behind all this?" and another, "For the sake of justice and prosecution authority, arrest Mikel."

Another read, "Arrest Mikel, get rid of collusion."

An expert on sociology of law, Satjipto Rahardjo, was quoted Wednesday by Kompas daily as saying that it was not enough for authorities to say that harsh action would be taken against anyone involved in the escape.

"The government should really be serious in eliminating collusion and corruption and in cleaning up bureaucracy," Satjipto said.

The students wanted to meet with the Prosecutor's Office head, A. Hasan Ketaren. But Ketaren, who was accompanied by Bogor District Police Chief Lt. Col. Ruslan Riza and City Military Commander Lt. Col. Widji Utomo, only agreed to meet four student delegates.

Defendant Mikel is the second missing important source in the case. The first was a suspect, Tjetje Tajuddin, who died in police custody on Oct. 21.

After Ketaren met with students, a student delegate, Agus Muslim, said their demands included a revamping of Prosecutor's Office management and those involved in the escape be punished.

Ketaren said office performance was at a "maximum" level. "This case happened because of irresponsible employees," he said. The office has proposed to the Ministry of Justice that employees involved be fired, he said.

A Prosecutor's Office clerk, Deni J., who picked up Mikel, another employee, R. Priyatna, who drove the vehicle (not the prison driver as earlier reported) and a prison clerk, Munandar, are among those who have been questioned.

The prison chief, Moelyawan, and the general crime section head at the Prosecutor's Office, Bambang S. Wahyudi, whose signature was allegedly forged by Deni, have also been questioned, although without being formally summoned by police.

The prosecutor handling the case, Andi Rachman Asbar, said he had provided "extra-tight" security for Mikel.

"You saw for yourself, every time Mikel came to a hearing he was always guarded by police." But he regretted that when Mikel was brought out of the prison, prison officials there had not questioned why there were no police officers to guard the detainee. (24/anr)