Cap trader stabbed to death in Sunter

JAKARTA (JP): A 21-year-old cap seller died of stab wounds yesterday after attempting to help settle a quarrel between a friend and five other people in Sunter market in North Jakarta.

The victim, identified as Buldan (alias Bondan), was a resident of Cipanas in West Java.

On Sunday, Bondan saw a friend, Salman, involved in an argument with the group, said Erwin, a fellow trader.

"Bondan didn't have any problem with the group and was just being neutral," he said. He tried to calm down Salman but one of the five people suddenly stabbed him in the stomach, causing Bondan to fall down.

"But nobody helped him as all of the people involved in the quarrel, including Salman, ran away," he said.

Bondan was found by Erwin, who was passing through the area. He rushed Bondan to Medika Griya hospital in North Jakarta. At midnight, doctors gave up on treatment as the bleeding was unstoppable, Erwin said.

"Bondan died before he was able to tell me who had stabbed him," he said.

Erwin said that he and his friends were now tracing the whereabouts of Salman and his five opponents.

"Personally I have to do this even though police told us to calm down," he said.

He said that Bondan was a nice youth compared with other traders in the market which he described as being too competitive.

"He didn't hesitate to help others," he said.

Erwin said that he knew Bondan for almost six or seven years.

However, as he knew nothing about Bondan's family background, the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital had difficulties in asking for an approval for autopsy.

"How can I call him a friend, if when I'm asked about his father's house, I can't give any answer," Erwin said regretfully.

"It's a lesson for me. I should know more about my friends," he said. (04)