Police Nab 3 Debt Collectors; Suspects in Rawamangun Clash

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The East Jakarta Metropolitan Police has identified three suspects in a mass commotion that occured on Jalan Pemuda, Rawamangun, on Tuesday, February 18, 2020.

"We have determined that there are three suspects," said East Jakarta Regional Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Hery Purnomo, on Wednesday, February 19, 2020.

Although he has yet to reveal the initials of the suspects, Hery said the three suspects worked as debt collectors. According to Hery, the commotion that occurred on Jalan Pemuda, precisely opposite the Rawamangun Post Office, was triggered by the actions of the three suspects who were allegedly forcibly seizing a debtor's motorcycle.

"Forcibly withdrawing credited vehicles in public places is prohibited by law. There are rules from the Constitutional Court," Hery said.

He emphasized the legal procedures that need to be taken in withdrawing vehicles owned by debtors with credit problems. "We are still investigating this case. For the meantime, there are only three individuals (as suspects)," said Hery.

Previously, a mass commotion took place on Jalan Pemuda at around 17:30 local time. At that time, a female motorcyclist was halted by the three suspects with the intention of seizing the vehicle.

The female motorcyclist refused and instead contacted her colleague who is in the online motorcycle taxi community. Uproar ensued with both parties chasing each other and being involved in physical clashes at the location.

One coffee shop was reported to have suffered damage to the roof due to the commotion. "One person was hit," said Hery.

ANTARA | DIO SUHENDA (INTERN TRANSLATOR)