Official declared murder suspect
The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
The city police have declared Krisman Siregar, unit operation head of the Jakarta Public Order Agency, as the prime suspect in the killing of gang member John Albert on Wednesday afternoon.
Police said Krisman would be charged under Articles 351 and 354 of the Criminal Code on aggravated assault with a maximum sentence of 10 years.
Albert, one of 20 people hired by businesswoman Dewi to guard 1.2 hectares of land adjacent to five hectares of land owned by state-owned oil company Pertamina on Jl. H.R. Rasuna Said in South Jakarta, was shot at close range in his left ear by Krisman.
Albert's friends took him to the hospital immediately, but he died later on Thursday.
His death sparked speculations that Albert's associate Hercules, a notorious gang leader in Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta, would attack City Hall, prompting the city administration to enlist the services of thugs on Thursday.
City police detectives chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang said on Friday that police were still investigating the motive behind the killing.
"Krisman was the only officer carrying a gun. Concerning the motive, police are still questioning witnesses and the suspect," said Mathius.
The public order office said on Thursday that it would review its policy that permitted officers on duty to carry guns.
Krisman was one of the 200 officers who went to the crime site to stand guard while Pertamina's land was being fenced, while Albert and 19 and other fellow hired thugs were guarding a disputed plot of land next to Pertamina's land.
According to Mathius, Krisman shot Albert on the disputed land.
"There was no resistance from the victim. Krisman fired one shot with his Revolver 32," he explained, adding that a concerned citizen reported the shooting to police.
"Police also found some machetes at the crime site. The machetes were reportedly used to cut grass on the disputed land," Mathius said.
He also said that Hercules had entrusted the police to handle the case.
Referring to the 1.2-hectare plot of land, Mathius said businesswoman Dewi and a certain Kozim Zein both claimed ownership of the land.
"The two are in an ownership dispute and the case is being reviewed and completed by Jakarta Police building and land unit," Mathius said.
He also said that one of the parties involved in the dispute was PT Multi Angsana Ganda, representing Dewi, who hired Albert and his friends to guard the land.