SYEKH PUJI OFFICIALLY NAMED SUSPECT

Semarang, March 17 (ANTARA) - The investigation into Syekh Puji as a witness on Monday resulted in a strong evidence which enabled the police to name him a suspect in marrying an under-age girl.

"Officially on Monday evening, Syekh Puji was named a suspect in the violation of Articles 82 and or 88 of law No 23/2002 on the protection of children," Semarang police chief Senior Commissioner Edward Syah Pernong said here Monday evening.
Touching on possible arrest of Syekh Puji, Edward said that under Article 17 of the criminal code, the evidence could be used to arrest him.
"Till this evening, the suspect is still being interrogated," he said.
A change in his status from witness to suspect was based on the statement of his arrest.
According to him, one important point which put Shekh Puji in a trap was that about the status of his legitimate marriage which could not be seen merely from Islamic law.
But as a citizen, he added, Shekh Puji should abide by the positive law on marriage or marital law.
"Based on the law on marriage of 1974, it was said that a woman could get married after the age of 16. If less than that, she should get a permit from the religious court," he said.
In the second interrogation session which lasted 13 hours, Shekh Puji answered 110 questions from the investigators pertaining to his legitimate marriage with Lutfiana Ulfa.