Zarima's arrest in U.S. receives mixed reactions

JAKARTA (JP): The arrest of Ecstasy fugitive Zarima by Jakarta detectives in Houston, America, got a mixed public reaction.

Few people contacted by The Jakarta Post yesterday saluted Indonesian police for their remarkable work in tracking down Zarima.

But many questioned whether the police could bring Zarima back to Indonesia to be tried because of several obstacles, like the legal grounds of the detectives and the FBI in arresting Zarima and the absence of extradition treaty between the U.S. and Indonesia.

Some doubted the woman arrested was Zarima.

Here are some of the comments made:

Yanto, a car mechanic: "If it's the real Zarima, the public must dock their caps to the police for their remarkable work in chasing the female fugitive around almost half the world. Then again, if it's true, the police should also have to trace the whereabouts of Eddy Tansil (escaped from Cipinang penitentiary here) and arrest him."

Agung, a businessman at the downtown Glodok business district: "I'd already thought since the beginning that the Jakarta police detectives would all do their best to arrest Zarima in order to improve their image after she escaped while being escorted by the head of the Tangerang police detectives, Capt. Ade Sutiana. It's a good job but we all hope the arrest of Zarima will not lead the police to 'create' a fake story and evidence just to free Capt. Ade."

Criminologist Adrianus Meliala: "The news of the arrest of Zarima is a heavy slap in the face for all responsible officials, including the police and immigration officials, who recently claimed they had closed all exits throughout the country. So, it's not a good news at all.

The real good news will be when the police are able to arrest all members of the syndicate Zarima works for and make everything clear so there'll be no more rumors about the alleged role of relatives of a high-ranking official in the syndicate of Zarima.

As of today, the public still has questions about how Zarima, who was arrested with such a large number of Ecstasy pills in her possession, could escape from a police escort and fly to America.

I've been informed that police knew Zarima was hiding in the States quite a long time ago but could do nothing until they received the green light from an official.

So, the public should not entirely believe the flow of official news about the arrest of Zarima because there's important big news that we should know, that is, about who's behind the syndicate."

A lawyer who refused to be named: "It's a good work but I fully doubt whether the Jakarta police with the help of FBI could bring Zarima back to Jakarta. It's not an easy job for them because there are a lot of legal procedures they have to do, it might take quite a long time."

Pranajaya, a documentary staffer at a publishing firm: "I'm still in doubt if the woman arrested in Houston is the real Zarima. Because, you know, many police officers nowadays have properly planned their targets (to do a good job) and for that they're willing to do anything, including plotting the arrest of a famous wanted criminal."

Ambon, a third grade junior high school student in South Jakarta: "Well done. Thumbs up for our police. But I hope that she will get tough punishment. If the police have caught the 'queen", it's time for them to get the 'king'. We will be free from Ecstasy then." (bsr/sur)