Jakarta – National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said on Tuesday that the police had accepted a gift of a car from businessman Tomy Winata, whose supporters are accused of assaulting three journalists of Tempo news magazine.

"We admit that we received a vehicle in relation to the investigation into the Bali bombings last year," Da'i was quoted by Antara as saying at a hearing with the House of Representatives Commission I for defense, foreign and political affairs.

At the hearing, city police chief Insp. Gen. MakbulPadmanagara said that he had been contacted by Tomy's supporters. "I have prepared two numbers to be contacted," Makbul told the hearing.

Hundreds of Tomy's supporters staged a rally at the magazine's offices to protest a report that linked the businessman to the recent fire at Tanah Abang market.

Several supporters have been accused of punching the journalists and one of the attackers allegedly contacted the city police chief on his cellular phone in an attempt to intimidate the journalists.