The East Jakarta Police has arrested a man suspected of attacking a police officer using his Cadillac SUV last Thursday.
According to the police, the suspect, a 34-year old man with the initials TGS, was driving his luxury car on the busway lane (which is exclusively for TransJakarta buses and emergency vehicles) in Matraman, East Jakarta.
Officer Dimas, who was on duty at the scene, stopped TGS’ car and asked for his license and registration. Instead of complying, TGS grabbed Dimas by the arm and hit the gas pedal, dangerously dragging the officer along.
“During that incident, Officer Dimas was dragged for 10 meters, causing his left arm to break and several gashes and bruises,” said Sapta Maulana Marpaung, head of the Crime Investigation Unit at the East Jakarta Police, as quoted by Kompas yesterday.
TGS was located and arrested on Monday evening at a hotel in West Jakarta.
The police have yet to reveal the what charges TGS will face. The Cadillac — a motor vehicle brand that is quite rare in Jakarta — has been confiscated by the police as evidence.
Civilians driving their vehicles on the busway lane in Jakarta is an everyday occurrence, despite the possible maximum IDR500K (US$37.50) fine if caught. In fact, busway lane violations are so common that Vice Governor Sandiaga Uno suggested (perhaps ironically) that dangdut diva Dewi Persik, whose recent near-busway lane violation turned into a needlessly long legal and media drama, should become an ambassador for busway discipline.
