Regent threatens to beat journalist

Multa Fidrus ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Tangerang   |  Tue, 07/01/2008 10:25 AM  |  City

Tangerang Regent Ismet Iskandar lost his temper and came close to punching journalist Denny Irawan when the latter asked about a payment of Rp 9.2 billion (US$978,723) from tap water operator Tirta Kerta Raharja.

Denny Irawan, a Tangerang-based journalist with Seputar Indonesia daily, first asked the regent to confirm his order for a Rp 9.9 billion payment from PDAM Tirta Kerta Raharja.

Ismet, who had just left the regency's legislative council building in Tigaraksa for a break after attending a plenary session Monday, said he had allocated the money he borrowed from the company to the regency's soccer team Persita.

"That's Rp 9.5 billion. What I mean is another Rp 9.2 billion that you recently ordered to be transferred to you from PDAM," Denny said.

Ismet replied there had been no new transfer of money from PDAM to his account.

"Are you sure you did not order a new transfer from PDAM (Tirta Kerta Raharja) in addition to Persita's needs?" Denny asked again.

Ismet became heated, saying, "Nothing, nothing, that's not true. What do you want, you want me to hit you?" he said, while extending his fist toward the journalist.

The regent was immediately restrained and separated from the journalist by members of his staff, who escorted him to his car before he managed to hit Denny, who appeared shaken by the incident.

Denny said he had asked the questions to confirm information gained from a local NGO, Poros Tangerang Solid (Portas).

The NGO is said to have reported the alleged misuse of the PDAM budget by the regent directly to the Attorney General's Office because similar reports filed with the Tangerang Prosecutor's Office had received no response.

"I just want the regent to apologize soon or I will report him to the police for bullying and committing an unpleasant deed," Denny told The Jakarta Post.

The incident was witnessed by a number of regency administration officials including Deden Sugandhi, head of the regency's Public Transportation Agency, Yayat, head of the regency's Coordinating Body for Capital Investment, and several members of the Women's Welfare Movement.

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