Navy chief wants death formarine hit men in Asaba case

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Although the trial of four marines who were allegedly involved in the murder of PT Asaba computer firm president director Budiarto Angsono has not yet begun, Indonesian Navy chief of staff Adm. Bernard Kent Sondakh is pushing for the maximum sentence for them.

Bernard said on Thursday that the four Navy servicemen deserved the harshest punishment possible as they had tarnished the image of the military.

"The shooter must be sentenced to death, and the rest should get a life sentence each," Bernard said after attending the ceremony to present medals of honor to distinguished citizens at the State Palace.

Overlooking the possibility that his statement could jeopardize a fair trial, Bernard said he just could not tolerate such a crime committed by soldiers.

"They should receive the maximum sentence for disgracing the Navy," he said.

The Navy's internal affairs investigators have just completed their probe into the alleged assassination-for-hire, charging the four active officers with premeditated murder, which carries a maximum sentence of death.

Bernard has already apologized to the public about the incident.

There has been no decision whether the suspects will be court- martialled or stand trial at a joint military-civilian court as the police have not yet arrested Gunawan, the businessman and former son-in-law of Budiarto who allegedly ordered the killing.

According to Indonesian law, a case involving both military personnel and civilians will be heard by a joint military- civilian court.

Bernard said the Navy had banned its members from taking side jobs and asserted that he would punish all those who violated the rule.

"Soldiers who have side jobs, including as bodyguards, will receive administrative sanctions from their direct commander," Bernard said.

"Those who are proven to be involved in crimes will be dishonorably discharged."

Moonlighting among the Indonesian Military (TNI) personnel is very common as the military budget is only partially covered by the state, and salaries are often relatively low.

Serving as bodyguards or providing other security services are very common side jobs for soldiers.