2 nabbed in connection with FPI shooting

JAKARTA (JP): Police detectives from Central Jakarta arrested two men believed to have shot dead a senior figure of the Islam Defenders Front (FPI) here about seven weeks ago.

Police identified one of the suspects as Muchdar, a nephew of the victim Saleh bin Abdullah Alatas.

Central Jakarta Police chief Sr. Supt. Adjie Rustam Ramdja told reporters on Tuesday that Muchdar was arrested in Pandeglang, West Java, on Monday morning, while his accomplice, Massurul, a street vendor in Slipi, West Jakarta, was arrested on the following day in Slipi.

The police confiscated an FN 45-millimeter caliber gun along with 75 bullets from Muchdar, who claimed to have purchased it from a retired military officer.

Based on the police findings so far, Adjie concluded that the two were the only perpetrators in the killing of Alatas on July 23, which allegedly took place after a family dispute over a plot of land and a house on Jl. Percetakan Negara IX Blok MI/6.

The house and land belonged to the parents of Alatas, Adjie said.

The dispute occurred after the Central Jakarta District Court recently issued a ruling in favor of Muchdar's ownership of the land. The court's verdict was later upheld by the Jakarta High Court.

According to Adjie, Muchdar was upset with his uncle, Alatas, saying that the latter had always prevented him from taking ownership of the land.

In July, for example, Alatas -- under the escort of several FPI members -- held a mass prayer at the disputed site when the staff of the district court attempted to execute its verdict, based on the High Court's decision of July 13, 2000.

During questioning, the two suspects admitted to have carried out the execution.

Alatas was shot by two men on a motorcycle in front of his house on Jl. Percetakan Negara, when he was about to perform his Subuh (predawn) prayer at a nearby An-Noor mosque.

After the shooting, the two managed to escape but the police tracked them down, said Adjie.

The police learned from Massurul that he was willing to help Muchdar, who often helped him financially, to kill the victim without receiving any payment.

"Massurul rendered his help as a way to repay Muchdar's kindness," he said.

"The killing was meticulously planned by the two and they could be charged with the maximum punishment of a death sentence," Adjie said. (lup)