Suspicious man arrested at council

JAKARTA: A 40-year-old man claiming to be an eviction victim and hoping to lodge a complaint at the City Council, was arrested by a security guard as he attempted to force his way into the council compound.

City Council Security Chief Mauladi said Derman Purba was arrested because he ignored the warnings from several security personnel not to drive into the compound with his kijang van.

"He even shouted profanity at us while driving in," Mauladi said, adding that Derman also ignored the order to stop when he reached the City Council basement.

Derman was taken to the Gambir police subprecinct for questioning, a half kilometer away from City Council building on Jl. Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta.

His identity card said he was residing in Palmerah, West Jakarta and working as a journalist.

Derman said he ignored the warnings because he wanted to meet a councillor to convey his personal opposition to the recent eviction of poor people in Tanjung Duren, West Jakarta. --JP