Top shuttler accused of assault
Top shuttler accused of assault
Evi Mariani, Jakarta
Badminton star Taufik Hidayat will be questioned as a suspect by
Jakarta Police for allegedly assaulting a driver at the Bung
Karno Sports Complex in Senayan, Central Jakarta, during the
Thomas and Uber Cup badminton team championships in May.
"The police will summon him for questioning soon," city police
spokesman Sr. Comr. Prasetyo said on Thursday.
Taufik is accused of violating Article 352 of the Criminal
Code on minor assault. The offense carries a maximum sentence of
three months imprisonment.
The shuttler, who will turn 23 in August, was reported to the
police after an incident on May 10 at the gate of the East
Parking Lot of the sports complex involving Jacky Darmawan. Jacky
is the driver of Ahmad Kalla.
Jacky had just paid the parking fee at the entrance and had
already driven on when he heard the parking attendant call him
back. He reversed and accidentally hit Taufik's front bumper.
Upon seeing the dent in his bumper, Taufik got out of the car
to admonish Jacky. The two quarreled before Taufik punched Jacky
in the face.
Jacky got into the car and started to drive on to avoid
further violence but Taufik ran in front of the car and banged
his fist on the hood, Jacky said.
Taufik himself told The Jakarta Post by phone that he knew
nothing about the police statement.
"I have not received a summons from the police. They know
where to find me ... I'm always at the National Badminton Center
(in Cipayung, East Jakarta)," he said. "However, this problem has
been handled by Pak Chairul."
The Badminton Association of Indonesia (PBSI) chairman,
Chairul Tanjung, had earlier asked the press not to exaggerate
the incident.
It was the third time Taufik had been involved in a brawl. The
previous two incidents occurred last year.
The most recent was when Taufik and father Aries Hidayat were
involved in a fistfight with a group of men in Senayan in October
2003. The brawl was also sparked by a similar car incident, when
a reversing minivan bumped into Taufik's car. Taufik and his
father yelled at the minivan's driver.
Police said Taufik threw the first punch.
Irked by Taufik's behavior, several men roughed up Taufik and
Aries.