Iwik not Udin's killer: Key witness

YOGYAKARTA (JP): The wife of slain Bernas journalist Fuad M. Syafruddin, confirmed yesterday that Dwi Sumadji, alias Iwik, was not the person she met at her house on the night of the assault on her husband.

"The person was very different (from Iwik)," said Marsiyem at Bantul district court.

The court, presided over by Endang Sri Murwati, was packed with hundreds of visitors. Yesterday was the sixth session of the trial.

Marsiyem, aged 30, said the guest who asked to meet her husband was taller than Iwik.

Iwik is being tried for the murder of Syafruddin, known as Udin.

During the night of Aug. 13 1996, a man went to Udin's house and assaulted him. Police say that person was Iwik.

Iwik however claims he is innocent and that he perjured himself by giving false testimony.

Another witness, Sujarah, also said yesterday that the man he saw peeking into Udin's house a day before the assault was not Iwik.

Iwik's attorney, Triyandi Mulkan, told journalists after the session that he also wanted to call another witness, called Nizar. But the request was rejected by the court.

After the murder, Nizar, said to be a Bogor businessman, reportedly tried three times to meet with Marsiyem but failed. He also reportedly tried to arrange a meeting between Marsiyem and the Yogyakarta police chief.

"Nizar was involved in Iwik's arrest. He told Iwik to confess to Udin's killing and in return he promised Iwik a house and a car," Triyandi told The Jakarta Post.

"Why did he try to meet Marsiyem? Who was behind him and told him to persuade Iwik to confess to being Udin's killer?", he asked.

Marsiyem's legal counsel, Budi Santoso, shared Triyandi's opinion. He said he deplored the judge's refusal to allow the defense to call Nizar as a witness.

"If this businessman could be brought in, then there would be a chance of uncovering another explanation (for the murder)," Budi told reporters. (23/10)