Bus driver mobbed to death

JAKARTA (JP): A bus driver was found dead in Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta, yesterday, possibly after he was mobbed by other bus drivers, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday.

The bus driver of a Kopaja bus plying the Kampung Rambutan- Klender route, identified as Pandiman Suwito, 37, was found dead in his bus on Jl. Baru early in the morning, Aritonang said.

"The victim was found in the bus with severe wounds to his head and body. Police also found a wood stick, a bottle and the victim's bloodstained shirt," he said.

According to Joni, one of the victim's friends, Pandiman's bus was involved in a speed race with a Metromini bus plying the Kampung Rambutan-Kampung Melayu route on Jl. Pahlawan Revolusi, in East Jakarta, Tuesday.

At least ten men stopped Pandiman's bus and threatened the driver and his assistant, Surya Tarigan, he said.

Aritonang said one of the men took over the bus and drove the bus to Ancol on the Jagorawi toll road, where both Pandiman and Surya were beaten.

Surya was released at the exit gate of the toll road after he suffered severe head injuries, he said.

The bus was found the next morning after Pandiman's employer received a phone call from an unidentified man telling him about the bus, Aritonang said. (07/jun)