Hong Lie safe in S'pore

Hong Lie safe in S'pore

JAKARTA (JP): City police have found it difficult to wrest Hong Lie, the man they believe instigated the murder of businessman Nyo Beng Seng, from his current residence in Singapore.

City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Dibyo Widodo said yesterday that the differing laws between Singapore and Indonesia were the major hurdle Indonesian police faced in arresting Hong Lie. "There is no extradition agreement between Singapore and Indonesia. This is the main problem. We have been working on that," he said.

Dibyo stressed that police have not hidden anything about the April 1994 murder of Beng Seng.

"We have been open, and will always be open to you journalists. We will let you know any progress we make," he said.

Two people, convicted for murdering Beng Seng, the owner of the PT Irama Tara recording company, are serving jail terms.

Agiono and Atok were sentenced to 20 years and 15 years respectively for murdering Beng Seng, a known owner of gambling dens.

Two other people have been arrested in connection with the murder.

Police, however, have not determined who masterminded the crime. They suspect Hong Lie, but have not been able to catch him in Singapore.

National Police Chief Gen. Banurusman has ordered Dibyo to deal with the case properly. "We have to pay our debt to the public," Dibyo insisted. (sur)