Tanah Abang Police chief accused of backing thugs

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Tanah Abang subprecinct police chief Comr. Ahmad Rivai was reported to the Jakarta Police on Wednesday for allegedly supporting thugs over a land dispute in the area.

The report was made by lawyer Djunaidi, who also owns the site in question on Jl. Karet Tengsin Raya, which faces Batavia Apartments, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta.

Djunaidi said on Wednesday that on Jan. 15 about 40 thugs claiming to be hired by PT Duta Anggada took over his site by attacking two security men there, Syarifuddin and Yunsri. Syarifuddin broke his arm in the attack, while Yunsri suffered a fractured skull.

The thugs have occupied the land ever since, denying Djunaidi's employees access to the site.

Syarifuddin and Yunsri received medical treatment at the hospital but Syarifuddin was reportedly unable to work after they were discharged, due to his injuries.

"Police officers from Tanah Abang subprecinct, who were deployed to deal with the attack, did nothing. Not one officer prevented the attack or arrested the attackers," said Djunaidi.

On Jan. 30, Djunaidi reported the assault to the Central Jakarta Police, but he claimed that the police did not investigate the incident.

Policemen from Tanah Abang subprecinct erected a cordon around the locked entrance to the site on March 2. They claimed it was necessary following action by West Jakarta Police precinct and the Jakarta Police in arresting thugs, operations related to another assault at Stadium discotheque, West Jakarta, on March 1.

"Some of my employees once spotted that thugs were on the land, behind the police cordon, even though the police banned us from entering the site. They are acting unfairly," said Djunaidi.

Ahmad Rivai did not answer his cell phone when The Jakarta Post tried to contact him for comment.