Bombing suspect testifies against Agung

MAKASSAR, South Sulawesi: A suspect in the deadly bombing here last year admitted on Monday that he was ordered by Agung Abdul Hamid, the alleged mastermind of the bombing, to bring two homemade bombs from the town of Poso in Central Sulawesi.

The confession was made by Arman alias Gala or Galaksi, who testified during the trial of another suspect, Hairul, charged with involvement in the blasts at a McDonald's outlet and a car dealership on Dec. 5, 2002.

"It's true that I brought the bombs from Poso upon the orders of Agung Abdul Hamid. But initially, I was not aware that they were bombs," Arman told the trial presided over by AK Paruasan.

He said he received the two bombs late in November 2002 from Anshar Daeng Salam alias Aco, who was killed in the McDonald's bombing.

Another bomb was brought by Aco himself to Makassar, Arman added.

He also admitted that Agung instructed him to carry a revolver and 16 bullets and to give them to Zainuddin, another suspect in the bombing. --JP