Andita Rahma and Budiarti Utami Putri, Jakarta – The Indonesian National Police (Polri) has identified the owner of an ambulance suspected to be operated by Gerindra Party's Tasikmalaya branch. The vehicle, which is currently under police confiscation, was discovered at the location of a riot on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.

"The owner has been identified. The driver and witnesses have been questioned," said Polri Spokesman Brigadier General Dedi Prasetyo on Thursday, May 23, 2019.

Official statements vary on the origins of the vehicle where initially the ambulance was parked in front of the Elections Supervisory Board (Bawaslu) office in Central Jakarta on May 21 and 22, 2019. The location was at the heart of the protest that started uneventfully but eventually turned into a riot.

Polri Spokesman Inspector General Muhammad Iqbal said that the ambulance was confiscated at the same time when a riot broke at the Police Mobile Brigade (Brimob) housing complex in Petamburan, West Jakarta on Wednesday, May 22, 2019.

At the time of the confiscation, police found that the ambulance carried a large number of rocks suspected to arm rioters. Another astonishing fact is that the police also discovered millions of rupiah packed in envelopes.

Police have questioned eight individuals as witnesses to trace the ambulance's origins and is investigating whether the political party had any involvement in the incident.

Up until this moment, Tempo is unable to get any response from Gerindra Party members regarding the discovery. "Police will investigate the political party's involvement first since the ambulance clearly has its logo," said Dedi.

He said that police are investigating on whether the money and envelopes found inside it were going to be used to pay the rioters. Gerindra Party member Fadli Zon argued that the party has numerous ambulances used for public interest and denies police's finding.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1208567/police-identify-money-filled-ambulance-owner