Taufik in trouble over minor insident

Taufik in trouble over minor insident

Evi Mariani and Novan Iman Santosa, Jakarta

Indonesian top shuttler Taufik Hidayat was reported to the
Jakarta Police on Monday due to his involvement in a traffic
incident at the Bung Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central
Jakarta, just nine hours prior to his encounter with Chinese
contender Bao Chunlai in the Thomas Cup championship.

Jacky Darmawan, Ahmad Kalla's driver, filed a report with the
police, saying that Taufik had hit him and banged his car's hood,
after he accidentally hit Taufik's car bumper.

He claimed he had already passed the parking gate of the
sports complex's East Parking Lot when the parking attendant
motioned him to reverse. He reversed the Nissan Infinity car he
was driving but hit the front bumper of Taufik's car.

Taufik was furious upon seeing his dented bumper and started
an argument with Jacky. The latter claimed that Taufik hit him.
Trying to avoid further conflict, Jacky got into the car, but
Taufik ran to the front of the car and banged the hood.

Taufik was accused of violating Article 335 of the Criminal
Code on unpleasant conduct.

Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman Chairul
Tanjung requested the press not to exaggerate the incident. He
quoted Taufik, who claimed that he had merely honked at the car
to stop reversing.

"I was indeed involved in a clash with the driver when
suddenly another motorist showed up and defended the driver who
hit my car," Chairul quoted the player as saying. "The man
claimed to be a member of the House of Representatives (DPR) and
also a relative of (vice presidential candidate) Jusuf Kalla."

"The driver wanted to sue me and asked me to accompany him to
the city police headquarters. I agreed to tail his car but the
car disappeared on the way to the headquarters."

When asked if Taufik truly hit the driver, Chairul denied it,
saying "perhaps they were just pushing each other."

He added there had been no report filed with the police,
quoting official sources and clarification from various parties.

When asked why a shuttler -- who was supposedly under
quarantine at the Hilton Hotel -- was outside, Chairul said the
shuttlers were allowed to buy meals outside the hotel to avoid
boredom.

"We provide the shuttlers with cash. Taufik did not break any
disciplinary rules," he said, adding that the dispute had been
settled.