POLICE CHIEF QUIZZED OVER BIG-TIME DRUG DEALERS' ESCAPE FROM JAIL

JAKARTA (IO) — Legislators in East Java province yesterday asked local
police chief Inspector General Sutanto to explain why 13 convicted drug
dealers were allowed to escape from jail earlier this week.

The legislators — all from the local assembly's Commission A — questioned
whether police had been paid massive bribes to release the dealers from
Medaeng Jail, as there were no signs of a forced breakout.

Prior to the meeting with the police chief, the legislators reported the
case to President Abdurrahman Wahid and East Java Governor Imam Utomo.

The seven assembly members who met the police chief were: Achmad Rubaie of
the National Mandate Party (PAN), L. Soepomo of the Indonesian Democratic
Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Saleh Ismail Mukadar (PDI-P), Colonel Budo
Sadiharso from the military faction, Lilia Agustina of the National
Awakening Party (PKB), Fuad Anwar (PKB) and Wahyudin Husein (PKB).

They were received by the police chief, his staff, and Surabaya Police
Chief Great Commissioner Suharto.

The legislators demanded to know how 13 convicted drug dealers could have
escaped from the jail without damaging any doors, windows, walls or cells.

It appears that certain officials had tried to cover-up the escape, because
news of the incident was kept hidden from the press for several days.

Calmly, the police chief said his office's only responsibility is to search
for criminals and arrest them. "Once they are in jail, they are out of our
jurisdiction."

Achmad Rubaie warned Sutanto that locals would get angry if police fail to
make sure that convicted crooks are kept in jail. "Although police were not
responsible for those who escaped, all of us here hope the fugitives will
be caught and receive stern measures while in police detention. If people
come to the conclusion that the police are negligent, they will search for
the criminals themselves and burn them on the streets, without any concern
for the Criminal Code."

Achmad pointed out that motorcycle taxi (ojek) drivers last year burned
many motorcycle thieves alive, because they feared the crooks would be
released or given lenient punishments if handed over to police.

"If the big-time drug dealers can escape due to the power of money, the
public will be very angry, because even small-time thieves can be burned
alive."

During the meeting, the legislators also asked police to crack down on drug
dealing at schools, universities, discotheques, hotels, restaurants and
brothels.

The legislators said drug dealers and their networks have reached the
province's most remote villages, so if police fail to take serious action,
it will only be a matter of time until all people become drug addicts.