Three executives arrested on charges of vandalism

Three executives arrested on charges of vandalism

JAKARTA (JP): Three executives of two private developers have
been arrested for allegedly vandalizing a West Jakarta building
at the center of an ownership dispute.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said
yesterday the authorities were investigating all possibilities of
foul play.

"We have detained the three suspects and focused our
investigation on their involvement in the destruction of the
building," he told reporters.

A police source, speaking on the condition of anonymity
yesterday, said the building was a shopping center in Tanjung
Duren.

Da'i named the executives as Sutjipto Nagaria and Benny Lukman
of PT Summarecon, and Ali Santoso of PT Jakarta Kosmopolitan. All
were arrested over the weekend.

He said they were charged with violating Article 410 of the
Criminal Code on illegal destruction of a building.

They face a maximum sentence of five years in jail if found
guilty, he added.

"Each of the three played a role, in either encouraging,
giving the orders or executing the vandalism of the shopping
center building in West Jakarta," he said.

The anonymous police source said Ali allegedly received a
US$30 million loan from state-owned Bank Rakyat Indonesia to
construct the building several years ago.

He encountered difficulties with the city administration over
a lack of necessary permits and also could not pay the loan back
on time, according to the officer.

Although the property was subsequently seized by the city
administration, Ali sold it to Sutjipto, the officer said.

"It seems Sutjipto was not really aware about the building's
status. The problem worsened when the bank wanted to seize the
building but found that some of it had allegedly been
vandalized."

Da'i said the investigation of the three was not based on a
complaint from the bank. (cst)