Antigraft activist's home bombed again
Hasrul, The Jakarta Post, Kendari
An explosion police believe to be from a homemade bomb has damaged the house of outspoken anticorruption activist Hidayatullah early on Tuesday in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, the second attack on the activist's house in 15 months.
Hidayatullah, his wife, Marni, and two-year old daughter Yayuk who were asleep in the house at the time were not injured in the attack at about 4 a.m.
The blast shattered windows and destroyed a wall in his house.
Hidayatullah, who is the chairman of the People's Mandate Assembly (MARA) non-governmental organization, and his family were also in the house in July last year when a similar attack occurred. No one has been arrested for that crime.
Tuesday's blast created a 30-centimeter-wide crater 15 centimeters deep.
Police officers arrived at the scene about 15 minutes after the incident.
Kendari Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Joko Mulyono said a preliminary investigation showed the explosion was caused by a homemade bomb.
The police bomb squad found metal pieces at the crime scene, which were believed to be from a device used to detonate the bomb, he said.
The pieces had been sent to a police forensic laboratory in Makassar, South Sulawesi, for a further investigation.
The attackers, who were believed to know the layout of Hidayatullah's house, had planted or thrown the bomb at the outside wall of his bedroom, Joko said.
Hidayatullah said he had heard nothing suspicious before the blast because he was asleep.
"My daughter and wife have been extremely traumatized by the incident," he said.
Local residents said the explosion was audible up to seven kilometers from the scene.
"At the time, I had just awoken to perform shubuh (dawn prayers) and I suddenly heard a strong explosion. But I didn't know if it was a bomb or not," said a neighbor, Halim.
Joko condemned the attack as "savage" and promised to thoroughly investigate the incident.
Vowing to arrest the bombers, he asked the victims to remain patient.
"We have questioned the victims but haven't yet determined the identity of the attackers," he said.
However, Joko said police suspected several people in relation to the attack. "For the time being, we cannot reveal the names."
Under Joko, police failed to uncover those behind the July blast at the same house, which also took place when Hidayatullah and his family were sleeping.
Hidayatullah has spearheaded many campaigns against corruption involving officials in Southeast Sulawesi.
On Monday, he led a demonstration to the province's legislative council to put pressure on local authorities to prosecute Muna Regent Ridwan Bae in a graft scandal over the auction of smuggled teak wood.
Hidayatullah has also persistently pressed ahead with calls for an investigation into alleged money politics during the election of Southeast Sulawesi Governor Ali Mazi by the previous legislature.
"I don't dare to speculate on those behind the attacks on me. It's the police's task to reveal it. It is surely related to my activities leading protests against numerous corruption cases in Southeast Sulawesi," Hidayatullah was quoted by Antara as saying.