Jobless man stabbed to death

JAKARTA (JP): A jobless man was stabbed to death in Kampung Bali in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, early yesterday.

The victim was identified as M. Irwan, 26, a resident of Kampung Bali, said Agus Slamet, one of the victim's relatives.

Agus said that he did not know how the stabbing happened. "He had a lot of friends and he liked to hang around at nights. I rarely saw him," he said.

"We can't do anything but let him rest in peace now. I'm only worried about his father," he said.

The victim's father, 58-year-old M. Yunus, is sick and often stays in a nearby mosque, Agus said, adding that Yunus' house is crowded with his six children and two in-laws.

The night before Irwan was killed, he asked his father, who is also jobless, for Rp 2,000. But his father refused to give him any, Agus said.

Irwan was believed to have gone later to a shop to drink alcohol with his friends.

"Maybe, it was where the accident started," Agus said.

Irwan was stabbed allegedly with a clurit, a Madurese sickle, in the right side of his stomach.

He is believed to have put up a defense as both of his arms and palms were severely cut. (04)