Jobless man kills partner

JAKARTA (JP): Pamulang police, South Jakarta, arrested a 19- year-old jobless man on Thursday for allegedly killing Abdul Karim, 60, a man he claimed was his homosexual partner, an officer said.

During preliminary questioning, the suspect, identified only as Sup, allegedly admitted to having killed Abdul, who, he said, had lived with him for about eighteen months, at about 6:30 a.m. on Thursday because of jealousy, South Jakarta police chief Lt. Col. Satrya Hari Prasetya said.

According to Satrya, police have seized a knife used by the suspect to commit the crime, and Sup's bloodstained shirt as evidence.

"In the beginning, Sup denied the crime but admitted it later after he failed to defend his alibi," the officer was quoted on Friday by Antara.

Satrya said police were still looking for an eyewitness named Keri, who was believed to be walking with the victim on Jl. Allasea Mas, Villa Pamulang Mas, housing complex on the Thursday morning of the murder.

Abdul, who was hired to take care of a house in the complex, died due to a stab wound to the left side of his chest.

The murder occurred 300 meters from the house.

After being stabbed, Abdul was left to die until he was found by local residents. Keri, who was with him, ran away and is still at large, Satrya said.

Local police arrived at the scene after reports from residents and questioned the locals, including Sup.

During questioning, Sup allegedly said that he was very upset with Abdul, who had strengthened his relationship with Keri, a trader offering knife sharpening.

According to officer Satrya, the knife used by Sup to stab the victim belonged to Keri.

Sup may face the death sentence because he admitted to having planned the murder a day earlier, he said. (bsr)