Students protest escape of Bogor inmate

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)