'Tempo' journalists questioned

JAKARTA: Three journalists from the Tempo weekly newsmagazine were questioned by police on Tuesday as witnesses in the alleged libel case reported by tycoon Tomy Winata.

Police interrogated Achmad Taufiq, Bernada Rurid and Cahyo as part of the investigation of chief editor Bambang Harymurti. The weekly wrote on March 3 that Tomy was interested in renovating the Tanah Abang market in Central Jakarta, which was razed by fire recently. It reported that Tomy, a big "scavenger", had submitted the proposal long before it was destroyed by fire.

Tomy himself, who is known for his close ties with the military, has not been questioned by police.

On March 8, about 200 people led by Tomy's supporters attacked the magazine's office and harassed several journalists, despite the presence of dozens of police officers.

Five people were named suspects in the incident. One of them, David alias A Miauw, was detained, but later released on bail.--JP

;JP;BNT; ANPAj..r.. Focus-Tangerang-police-officer Policeman mobbed in Cikokol JP/8/GREATER

Policeman mobbed in Cikokol

TANGERANG: A Balaraja Police officer was rushed to the Tangerang General Hospital after a number of traders and motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers mobbed him in the Cikokol main market on Jl. Sudirman on Wednesday morning.

Sahidin, an eyewitness, said that the passengers of an Asli bus, which serves the Kalideres-Balaraja route and was passing through the market, shouted when they saw the officer, identified as Second Brig. Margoyanto, 43, pointing a gun at the head of the bus driver.

The officer then jumped off the bus and ran to a security post in the Modernland residential complex, where he broke the windows of a parked car in front of the post, kicked a motorcycle taxi and fired four shots into the air before throwing his gun on the ground.

The officer then picked up his gun again and attempted to get on the bus once more. But a passenger shouted a warning, after which the officer ran off into Cikokol market.

Traders became enraged when the officer tramped upon their wares. Along with some ojek drivers, they then attacked the officer and beat him black and blue.

A number of officers from the Balaraja police station said that Margoyanto was suffering from emotional and other problems.--JP

;JP;BBY; ANPAj..r.. Focus-Taiwanese-forgery Police hunt for credit card forgers JP/8/G-TAIWAN

Police hunt for credit card forgers

JAKARTA: City police detectives are pursuing two Taiwanese citizens who are allegedly members of a syndicate involved in credit card forgery and fraud, an officer said on Tuesday.

Spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo told reporters that police officers had arrested one other suspect involved, Chen Chih Wei, 31, alias Chen Chih Hsiung or Andi also from Taiwan.

"We will pursue the case and arrest the suspects Robert and his girlfriend Chay," he was quoted as saying by Antara.

Prasetyo said the case was based on a report made by a travel agency located on Jl. Hayam Wuruk, Central Jakarta, on March 23 which suffered a loss of Rp 13 million (US$1,460) drawn from its account using a phony credit card.

"Suspect Chen admitted bought the fake cards from the two fugitives. He used it to buy round trip air tickets to Singapore and Bangkok," he explained.

The police seized four faked credit cards, five flight tickets and one payment sheet from Chen.-- JP

;JP;BBY; ANPAj..r.. Focus-gambling-raid Play dominoes, go to jail JP/8/

Play dominoes, go to jail

BEKASI: Bekasi subprecinct police confirmed on Tuesday the arrest of a group of reporters from a local tabloid who were allegedly gambling in the Bulak Kapal area late on Monday.

The police declined to reveal their identities, saying that the intelligence unit caught "O.S. and his gang" playing dominoes with money as bet. The police seized the domino cards and the money for evidence.

The police chief Sr. Comr. Bachtiar Hasanudin Tambunan said the force had declared a war on gambling.

"We will eliminate any games which are tainted with gambling, and will bring the perpetrator of the crime to court," he was quoted as saying by Antara.

He also encouraged residents to tip off the police, guaranteeing protection for them.-- JP