Paspampres Explains Armed Woman Incident Nearby Presidential Palace

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The commander of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres), vice marshal Wahyu Hidayat Soedjatmiko on Tuesday clarified details about the arrest of a woman who approached the Presidential Palace complex in Central Jakarta armed with a handgun. 

According to Wahyu, what was initially reported as a breach was not true. “It was actually because of our personnel’s vigilance,” he said in a statement on October 25.

As reported earlier, a woman wearing a niqab was arrested in front of the State Palace in Jakarta. She was carrying a silver semi-automatic FN pistol.

Adj. Comr. Pol. Linda, the deputy chief of Central Jakarta Police's Satuan Lalu Lintas, confirmed the incident and said that the woman was acting on her own.

One member of the Presidential Security Detail observed the suspicious behavior shown by the woman who was standing nearby the Paspampres post in front of the President’s palace. Personnel immediately approached the person and responded with the woman pointing the handgun toward the Paspampres. 

Three police officers immediately apprehended the woman, said to be around 25 years old, and took away the gun. The woman has been handed over to the police for questioning. The gun has been confiscated as evidence along with other items in her effect: a Quran, an empty wallet, and a mobile gadget.

FAJAR PEBRIANTO

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