Drive-by shooting leaves three people injured

JAKARTA (JP): Three people were injured, including a suspended executive of Ansor, the youth wing of the country's largest Muslim organization, Nahdlatul Ulama, in a dramatic drive-by shooting late on Friday on Jl. Buncit Raya in South Jakarta.

South Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Bambang W. identified the victims as Wahyudin Ghozali, who was shot in the hand, M. Fadhlan, the driver of the car who was shot in the stomach, and Aris Junaidi, who was shot in his left shoulder. Aris was formerly Ansor's deputy treasurer.

The three and one other passenger Muhammad Yunus, who escaped injury, were traveling in a white Daihatsu Feroza jeep en route to Ansor's office on Jl. Kramat Raya in Central Jakarta.

Aris told reporters the incident took place at about 11:30 p.m. in front of the Republika daily building. The shooters were riding in a dark red KIA sports car.

"I believe the shooters' car had been following us since our car left my house in Jagakarsa (South Jakarta). Their car passed our car when we were in front of the Republika building, they stopped abruptly in front of us and then they opened fire," Aris said.

"The incident occurred so quickly, it felt like it was just a dream," said Aris, who is known to be an acquaintance of former president Abdurrahman Wahid.

Police found at least six spent bullets at the scene, which are being examined at National Police's forensic laboratory. The attackers were suspected to have used automatic weapons.

Bambang said he believed the shooting was well-planned as the shooters knew when Aris would leave his house.

"We don't want to speculate but the motive was definitely not robbery. Aris made a stop at a Bank Central Asia ATM but the car only stopped and did not ambush him there," Bambang said.

When asked whether the shooting had any relation to a recent shoot-out near Ansor's headquarters, during which a marine officer was killed, Bambang said: "Police will surely see if it is related to that incident but we can't say now that the two incidents are in anyway connected."

Concerning the Kramat Raya shootout on Apr. 1, Aris was said to have information on the confrontation between the marine officer and other Ansor members. No suspects were named in the incident.

Rumors, however, circulated that the incident was sparked by a dispute over money given by Abdurrahman to cover the medical fees of Papuan independence movement leader Theys Hiyo Eluay, some of which reportedly went to Aris. He denied the reports.

As of Saturday afternoon, Aris and his three colleagues were still being questioned at the South Jakarta Police Headquarters as witnesses, while Fadhlan was admitted to the hospital.(emf)