T

he city police may understand the situation faced by musician Ahmad Dhani and his former wife Maia Estianty, as their youngest son Ahmad Abdul Qodir Jaelani undergoes medical treatment, but another summons letter will still be sent to them requesting they undergo questioning on the traffic accident that killed six and injured nine, one of which was their son.

Abdul, commonly known as 'Dul', is a suspect in the case in connection with his role as the driver of the sedan believed to have been traveling at a high speed from Cibubur to Jakarta on the Jagorawi toll road when it hit the toll road's separator, slamming into oncoming traffic.

Jakarta Police law enforcement section chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Hindarsono said the divorced pair was expected to show up for questioning and would be grilled as witnesses. He added the police understood if the two postponed the questioning.

'We know they are still busy accompanying their son and handling other victims,' he said. 'They can't come today as their son is undergoing surgery.'

Hindarsono said the police hoped Dul and the other injured victims undergoing medical treatment in the Meilia and Pondok Indah general hospitals would gradually recover so the case could be
quickly solved.

'We want Dul's parents to take care of their son first, so they will not be overwhelmed when they undergo questioning,' Hindarsono said.

Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said Dul could be charged under the 2009 law on land transportation and traffic controls, which carries a maximum six-years behind bars.

However, as Dul is underage, the police will also refer to Law No. 23/2002 on child protection, so that if he is found guilty, his punishment could be cut by 50 percent.

National Commission on Child Protection (Komnas PA) chairman Arist Merdeka Sirait said there should be a mechanism in the juvenile justice system to prevent juvenile convicts such as Dul from losing their rights as children.

'It could be aimed at looking for out of court settlements to juvenile cases and facilitating reconciliation with the victims,' he said.

The deadly car crash has led to the criticism that Dhani allowed his underage son to drive the car.

Dhani said recently during an interview with a private TV station that he was not only one responsible for allowing Dul to drive, but the blame should also laid on the state-owned toll road operator PT Jasa Marga for not reporting to the police when underage drivers like his son entered the toll gate.

He added he would be available to stand trial on behalf of his son.

National Police Commission (Kompolnas) member Hamidah Abdurrachman said Dul's parents might have greatly contributed to the incident and Dul should receive harsh punishment to create a deterrent effect for other teenagers. (ian)