20 years sought for rector's killer

Nani Farida, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh, Nanggroe Aceh Darussalam

Prosecutors urged 20 years imprisonment on Tuesday for Mahyiddin alias Raja Preman, 26, for his alleged role in murdering the rector of Syiah Kuala University (Unsyiah), Dayan Dawood, in 2001.

"There are absolutely no extenuating circumstance in this case as the murdered victim was a prominent figure in the world of Acehnese education," prosecutor Muhammad Adnan told the Banda Aceh District Court.

He said Mahyiddin and his alleged accomplice, Raja Fadh, had shot dead Dayan Dawood on Sept. 6, 2001, on Jl. T Nyak Arief, some three kilometers the Syiah Kuala University.

The murder had been plotted several days before at a house in Banda Aceh, said Adnan.

"The shooting was carried out because Dayan Dawood refused to pay 10 percent of the university building fund to GAM (the Free Aceh Movement). GAM consequently ordered Mahyiddin and Raja Fadh to kill Dayan Dawood," Adnan added.

At the time of the murder, Mahyiddin rode the motorcycle, while Raja Fadh, the pillion passenger, fired shots at Dayan's car. The victim died from two gunshot wounds to the chest and head.

Mahyiddin was captured on June 29, 2002, in a raid in Banda Aceh, in which he was shot in the leg by police. However, Raja Fahd was shot dead as police attempted to arrest him.

Mahyiddin is charged with violating Article 340 and 388 of the Criminal Code on murder and the possession of illegal weapons.

Imam Syafiie, a lawyer for the suspect, rejected the sentencing recommendation as being "too heavy" for his client.

"Mahyiddin's has been permanently disabled in the leg, and this is a very severe burden for him to bear," Imam told The Jakarta Post.

Mahyiddin said that his fate was in the hands of the court. "I was just ordered by Raja Fahd and I didn't even know that the target was to be the rector," he said.

The trial was adjourned until March 23 to hear defense pleas from the defendant.