Teenager burned alive by mob

JAKARTA (JP): A teenage boy, who wounded a bajaj (pedicab) driver after refusing to pay for a ride, was burned alive by angry Cempaka Putih residents in Central Jakarta on Thursday morning, according to a police report.

The report disclosed that the residents, alerted by the screams of the injured bajaj driver, managed to catch the 17-year-old boy, identified as Hendra, and poured kerosene on him before setting the suspect alight.

The incident took place at a spot on Jl. Pramuka at about 5:30 a.m., shortly before morning rush hour was about to begin in the area.

Based on a preliminary investigation, local police said that Hendra had stopped the bajaj and asked driver Ali Murtado, 31, to drive him to Puri Mega Hotel in the area.

Upon their arrival, the youth refused to pay the fare, and instead attacked the driver with a machete, leaving Ali with at least four gashes. (09)