Angry workers beat Australian to death

Angry workers beat Australian to death

JAKARTA (JP): Aquiles Galardo, an Australian citizen employed by a local company owned by business tycoon Aburizal Bakrie, was beaten to death by irate workers on Monday.

The 40-year old expatriate was attacked by hundreds of workers of the Trans-Bakrie company in Sumuranja, Serang, West Java, following a quarrel between him and several others.

Company spokesman Lalu Mara Satria Wangsa said in a release yesterday that Galardo, who was a yard superintendent in the company, died at the Honoris Hospital.

"He died in an accident which was caused by the anger of the workers and local residents," Wangsa said. "The workers were angry because Aquiles Galardo hit the company's security guard."

"It was a personal problem between him and the workers," Wangsa said. "The management has reported the case to the authorities."

Trans-Bakrie is a joint venture between Bakrie & Brother group of companies which owns 51 percent of its shares, with Transfield Australia.

The daily Merdeka reported that Galardo was known for his bad temper and often quarreled with workers under his supervision. He had reportedly been involved in a number of fights previously.

The daily also reported that the mob of angry workers also beat an employee, Wiwin, and two of the company's security guards, Agus and Rafei, who tried to prevent them from attacking Galardo. (31)