The Jakarta Post, January 31, 2007
Maluku Police name eight suspects in arson investigation
M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon
The Maluku Police named eight people Tuesday as suspects in the burning of six
government offices in Saumlaki two weeks ago.
Southeast West Maluku Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Rudi Yuswanto told The Jakarta
Post on Tuesday that after reconstructing the case, authorities believed the eight
suspects were instructed to set the fire.
The plan, he said, was drawn up at the home of former Southeast West Maluku
deputy regent Lukas Uwuratuw, who served from 2001 to 2006.
The suspects were allegedly equipped with two bottles of gasoline to be used as
molotov cocktails. Police said two of the suspects wore black caps in order to shift
suspicion for the attack onto another group.
The suspects are believed to have targeted the home of the regency administration's
secretary, Piet Norimarna, in addition to the government offices, but police said the
plan was canceled because the house was heavily guarded.
"We've finished reconstructing what happened, and the suspects' information will be
further investigated to indict those behind the incident," Rudi said.
He said Lukas will be questioned soon, since the attackers are believed to have
gathered at his house both before and after the incident. "We'll definitely call him in,"
he said.
Authorities interviewed 26 people in all, including several officials within the regency
administration. They include tourism office head Hery Lerebulan, communication and
information office head Yos Malindan and forestry office head Agus Dohoklory.
"We questioned them since several witnesses and suspects named them," Rudi said,
adding they were questioned as witnesses but further investigation could lead to their
being named suspects.
"It's up to the investigation. They're known for funding several protests against the plan
to install the newly elected regent and deputy regent. But whether they're funding the
arson, we're still investigating that," he explained.
The six government offices in Saumlaki, the regency's capital, were burned down on
Jan. 16.
Those responsible for the attack are thought to have been protesting the inauguration
later that day of Bitzael Salvester Temmar and Barnabas Orno as the new regent and
deputy regent of Southeast West Maluku for the 2006-2011 term.
There were numerous protests over the results of the Southeast West Maluku
regency election. Losing candidates filed a lawsuit accusing Temmar and Orno of
vote-buying and poll-rigging. In November 2006, the Maluku High Court dismissed the
suit, clearing the way for the inauguration.
Maluku Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Tommy Napitupulu told the Post authorities
believed that in addition to trying to stop the inauguration ceremony, the attackers
also hoped to get rid of documents related to a corruption investigation in the regency.
"We'll continue our investigation to reveal the facts behind the arson attack," he said.
All contents copyright © of The Jakarta Post.
|
