Traffic warden killed over money

JAKARTA (JP): Kebayoran Lama police detectives are searching for three men who allegedly stabbed their fellow illegal traffic attendant to death on Jl. Kemandoran VII in South Jakarta, on Sunday afternoon.

South Jakarta police chief of detectives Comr. Napolean Bonaparte said on Monday that the victim, identified as Ilham Suwandi, 17, died from multiple stab wounds.

"Ilham died at 9 p.m. on Sunday night, six hours after the incident. There were several witnesses who recognized the attackers," Napolean said.

The witnesses said Ilham and his attackers, who reportedly had gone to the same school, were involved in an argument over a share of control.

"Ilham apparently refused to give his acquaintances a chance to join him as traffic attendants on Jl. Kemandoran VII... so they stabbed him and fled," Napolean said.

Illegal traffic wardens are termed Pak Ogah here, in remembrance of the funny character from a famous old local children's show, Si Unyil, who used to demand Rp 100 for any help people asked of him.

They usually demand Rp 100 for each car that makes a U-turn on a street, whether it is strictly legal or not. (ylt)