Let Supreme Court decide 'Pak' De's case: Noegroho

JAKARTA (JP): City Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman has said it was up to the Supreme Court to review the ruling against Mohammad Siradjuddin, alias Pak De, who was sentenced with life imprisonment for murdering fashion model Dietje in 1986.

According to Noegroho, the then South Jakarta Police chief who arrested Pak De, his team at the time had adequate material evidence and had properly followed the required legal procedures before submitting the case to the court.

"The case is closed because he has been sentenced by the court. But if the case is to be reviewed, it's entirely up to the Supreme Court," Noegroho told The Jakarta Post Saturday.

On Thursday, Pak De told the Post at Cipinang penitentiary that he was to file a request with the Supreme Court for a review of his case, hoping that the court could find the real killers, who are now powerless following the resignation of former president Soeharto.

Once a faith healer and consultant of Dietje Budiasih Budimulyono, Pak De always maintained his innocence since his arrest by Noegroho on Oct. 20, 1986, following the death of another of his other patients, who died of a brutal ax assault in Cimanggis, Bogor.

"I confessed to killing Dietje mainly because I could no longer stand to witness my sons, Farid and Yanto, being beaten in front of me," the 66-year-old man said.

The murder of Dietje, a 34-year-old fashion model whose body was found on Sept. 8, 1986, with five bullet wounds, sparked controversy because media reports at that time implied that her death was connected to some of the country's prominent figures who had sexual relationships with her.

Pak De strongly believed that the Dietje's shooting was masterminded by these prominent people.

Pak De, alias Romo, alias Sirad, told the media, who were visiting the penitentiary on Aug. 17, that he was first summoned by Lt. Col. Noegroho only for questioning about Dietje's death.

"But it ended up with my arrest," he recalled.

Noegroho, who is now a two-star general, commented: "Well, he (Pak De) can say anything he wants because he only knew me as the one responsible for the case.

"But there is one thing for sure. When I handled the case, all of the stages -- starting from the inquiry, the cross-examination and the dossier -- were done according to the rules," he said.

When asked to comment that Pak De would call the same witnesses, who now promised to reveal the truth, Noegroho only said: "Just ask the Supreme Court about this."

Immediately after being incarcerated, Pak De repeatedly appealed to the High Court and asked for a review from the Supreme Court but all his requests have been turned down.

He has not yet revealed the date of when he plans to ask for a new review. (edt)