Murdered reporter case reopened

YOGYAKARTA: Local police on Thursday started the process of requestioning 20 witnesses in the 1996 murder of local Bernas daily reporter Fuad Mohammad Syafruddin alias Udin.

The reinvestigation started with the summoning of two witnesses, however only one of them showed up for the questioning.

Udin died on Aug. 13, 1996 after being beaten by unknown assailants at his residence. Many suspected his death was linked to his critical reporting of alleged corruption by local authorities.

On the same day around 100 protesters came to police headquarters here demanding a swift and thorough investigation of the case.

"We are seriously conducting the investigation," Yogyakarta's Police Investigation Unit Chief Sr. Spt. Toto Sunyoto told the protesters as he brought the witness Kuncoro to the crowd to prove the investigation.

Local legislators have agreed to form a special committee on the case and plan to seek an explanation from the police in a public hearing on Aug. 16. (swa)