South Sulawesi Police spokesperson Sr. Comr. Frans Barung Mangera said on Wednesday that the suspected perpetrators were all underage. “Two out of the seven suspects, identified with their initials MR, 14, and NA, 15, were identified to have set fire to the council building. They have been detained at the South Sulawesi Police headquarters.”

Four other perpetrators — MUS,16, AF,16, MUR,15, and SF,16 — were named suspects for damaging property and have been taken into custody at the Gowa Police office.

All of the perpetrators have been charged under articles 187 and 170 of the Criminal Code (KUHP) for deliberately damaging and setting fire to property, which carry a minimum sentence of five years in prison.

The last suspect, identified with initials MY, 15, was arrested for looting. He allegedly stole electronics from the council building during the riot on Monday. The suspect was charged under Article 363 of the KUHP on looting and has been detained at the Gowa Police office.

“They were arrested separately, from Tuesday evening through early Wednesday,” said Barung.

The incident arose following a conflict between Gowa Regent Adnan Purichta Ichsan Yasin Limpo and Gowa royal family members, who had demanded the revocation of Bylaw No. 5/2016, which mandates the establishment of a Gowa customs and traditions institute (LAD).

Under the bylaw, Adnan was inaugurated as the LAD head and now performs the role of sombaya (king) of Gowa. (ebf)

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