Murderer gets life

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: A government official was sentenced to life yesterday for murdering a security guard in 1993 over fears that the victim would expose his colleagues' love affairs.

In a session attended by hundreds of people, judges in the Kefamenanu district court in Northern Central Timor regency found Remison Utu Mamu, 41, guilty of premeditatedly killing Yacob Alle.

The trial has been packed with visitors curious to hear witnesses reveal local public works officials' affairs with their subordinates.

Until presiding judge Tewa Mado announced the verdict yesterday, rumors were rife that Remison, chief of the office's repairs section, would be acquitted because the case involved government officials.

Prosecutors had sought a 15 year term for him.

Another four officials are to be tried by the same court soon for their alleged involvement in the murder, Antara reported.

The judges said in their verdict that the murder, that occurred on the night of Dec. 16, 1993, involved several officials who feared their love affairs would be made public by the victim.

As a security guard, the verdict said, Remison had caught officials having sex in their office with their subordinates on several occasions.

Remison was appointed leader of an "execution team" to finish off Yacob. The victim's body was dumped in a ravine and found only three days later.

The public works officials who have been detained and will be tried soon have been identified as Nico Manjati, the office chief; Benyain Solokana, administrative affairs chief; Tambunan, road and highways section chief and P. Djaratano, housing section chief. (pan)