TheJakartaPost
Please Update your browser
Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.
Police expected to probe deaths at Kalla's open-house event
The Makassar Police are expected to commence a probe into the deaths of two people who died after being trampled while attempting to meet vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla during an Idul Fitriâs open-house gathering held at his private residence
Change Size
T
he Makassar Police are expected to commence a probe into the deaths of two people who died after being trampled while attempting to meet vice president-elect Jusuf Kalla during an Idul Fitri's open-house gathering held at his private residence.
Indonesian Police Watch (IPW) chairman Neta S. Pane said that inadequate precautionary measures taken by Kalla and the open-house committee may constitute the sole cause of the incident that claimed two lives.
"[President-elect] Jokowi [Joko Widodo] also held an open house at Graha Saba in Solo [Surakarta, Central Java] and there were many that wished to shake hands with Jokowi. However, the committee and the hosts were able to ensure that everything was in an order and that there were no casualties. Why was this not the case at Kalla's residence? This proves how careless the committee was," he said on Saturday.
The case must be go through the legal process and the investigation must not be closed, Neta said. He added that if the investigation was stopped prematurely, Kalla and the Makassar police could be permitting violations of law that may diminish public trust in Kalla ahead of his inauguration as vice president in October.
As a result, Kalla must push for the case to be resolved legally to appease the general public and allow judges to decide whether or not sanctions should be imposed.
Earlier this week, 15-year-old Dika and 40-year-old Harni Daeng Ngintang died from asphyxiation at Kalla's open house after being trampled in a rush to greet Kalla. Although 10 others were also injured, they were released after being treated at the Stellamaris and Pelamonia hospitals in Makassar.
Visitors were reportedly very enthusiastic to meet Kalla and his family members, as well as to receive Rp 50,000 (US$4.30) as a door prize. (fss/dic)
