Journalists in East Java receive death threats

SURABAYA (JP): Following threats made to Moslem preachers by unidentified people here, journalists have been warned that they will be among the next victims in the killing spree which has so far claimed more than 150 lives in East Java.

The threats were printed on flyers and circulated widely among the public in the provincial town of Jember.

"We have been smeared by reports of the killings, so it will be better if we eliminate the reporters from Jember," one of the unsigned flyers said. East Java Governor Imam Utomo said Tuesday he would guarantee the personal safety of journalists reporting on the gruesome murders.

Meanwhile, witnesses said that dozens of mysterious drifters recently turned up in Jember, Banyuwangi, Surabaya, Malang and Pasuruan. They were reportedly handed over to the authorities by local residents. In a gruesome wave of revenge, angry mobs decapitated a number of people suspected of being "ninja killers" and carried their severed heads on poles through village streets in Malang on Sunday and Monday.

Vigilante groups were formed after more than 150 people were mysteriously murdered by what witnesses have said were masked killers dressed in black. Many of the victims were preachers and others were accused of practicing witchcraft.

Following frustration over the apparent inability of the police and the military to bring the mysterious murder spree to an end, there have been numerous reports of mob violence and killings of suspected "ninjas" in recent days.

Police have arrested dozens of people in connection with the murders, but say they have been unable to established a motive for the killings that first began in August. Minister of Defense and Security/Armed Forces Commander Gen. Wiranto said in Jakarta on Monday that 69 of the 157 suspects so far detained were members of Nahdlatul Ulama -- the country's largest Islamic organization whose members appear to have been targeted by the so-called "ninja killers."

NU leaders have called for calm and have condemned revenge killings by vigilantes. Wiranto has also said that conflict among the country's political elite might be behind the murders.

In Jakarta, Antara reported that Achmad Tirtosudiro, the chairman of the Association of Indonesian Moslem Intellectuals (ICMI), expressed regret on Tuesday over allegations made by Nahdlatul Ulama chairman Abdurrahman Wahid, who on Sunday said that at least one Cabinet minister was involved in the killings.

"A Moslem figure should have not talked like that," Achmad told reporters at the State Palace after meeting President B.J. Habibie.

Abdurrahman, better known as Gus Dur, said on Saturday his group had identified the mastermind behind the wave of killings but mentioned no names. Achmad said that after learning from sources that Abdurrahman was referring to cooperatives minister Adi Sasono, he checked with the minister.

"Gus Dur's statement was absurd and impossible. Adi Sasono said Gus Dur was joking," he said. (nur/byg)