Liza Yosephine, Jakarta – No details have emerged yet about alleged illegal gun purchases by members of the Presidential Security Detail (Paspampres) on US soil, with the government so far keeping mum over the reports.
The Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC refused to comment on the case with an official citing that it had "entered the realm of law".
"We are not in a position to comment on the issue, please refer to the POM TNI [military police] who are handling the case [in Indonesia]," first secretary at the Indonesian Embassy in Washington DC A. Rizal Purnama told thejakartapost.com. on Friday.
US Army Soldier Audi Sumilat pleaded guilty at the federal court on Wednesday to several charges of selling unlicensed guns to Paspampres members who were visiting Washington DC and the UN General Assembly in New York, according to Associated Press. The US Attorney's office in New Hampshire said Sumilat will be sentenced in October. The Foreign Ministry in Jakarta was unavailable for comment.
Indonesian Military (TNI) spokesman Maj. Gen. Tatang Sulaiman insisted that the guns purchased were for personal use and that the problem was only a matter of paperwork. POM has questioned eight personnel allegedly involved in the case, he said on Friday, adding that military procurement was always carried out in compliance with the law. (rin)