Antigraft activist's home bombed again

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.