Organized crime syndicates here: Criminologist

Organized crime syndicates here: Criminologist

JAKARTA (JP): Organized crime organizations are operating in
Indonesia, according to criminologist Mulyana W. Kusumah.

"These are real organized crime syndicates, but it is still
not clear whether they already have linked up with international
crime groups, such as the Hong Kong Triad," Mulyana told The
Jakarta Post yesterday.

Last year's murder of Nyo Beng Seng, a prominent Jakarta-based
figure in the gambling business, was the strongest indication yet
that powerful organized crime syndicates have already established
a presence in Indonesia.

The syndicates earn "dirty-but-easy" money through a variety
of illicit businesses, including gambling, prostitution under
cover of massage parlors, discotheques, hotels, inns and other
forms of amusement.

Mulyana said that, in order that business runs smoothly, the
crime syndicates forge ties with high-ranking state officials.

Aside from his role as a godfather in the gambling business,
Beng Seng, aged 57 at the time of his brutal murder, was the
owner of several massage parlors and night clubs in Jakarta.

Known locally as Darmansyah Sujadi, Beng Seng was often
recommended to Indonesian gambling enthusiasts by overseas
gambling operators. He was paid fees for his services in
arranging gambling meetings.

While gambling is illegal in Indonesia, serious gamblers have
little trouble finding places in the capital which offer a wide
range of games, including roulette and baccarat. North and West
Jakarta are especially renowned for gambling activity.

According to reports, Beng Seng, who was fatally stabbed in
April last year in front of his second wife's mansion in Pluit,
North Jakarta, owned shares in gambling dens overseas.

Hong Lie, strongly believed to be the man behind the murder,
used to be a member of Beng Seng's staff.

Currently living in Singapore, a country which has no
extradition treaty with Indonesia, Hong Lie owns race horses and
sea-going vessels which are mainly used for gambling.

The district court has sentenced two men, Agiono and Sudarto,
to 20 years and 15 years respectively for carrying out the
stabbing. The court concluded that others had been involved.
Other suspects include Hong Lie, Apiu, Eng San, A Lay and Avok.

Hong Lie is still at large.

From his headquarters in Singapore, Hong Lie said that the
murder was instigated by Leo Kartono, Beng Seng's nephew. Hong
Lie accused Leo of having a love affair with Beng Seng's second
wife.

However, police say that the testimony of witnesses and other
evidence has led them to a preliminary conclusion that Hong Lie
was the man behind the killing.

Hong Lie reportedly refused to return to Beng Seng a debt of
about US$5 million. Police say Hong Lie intended to replace Beng
Seng as the Indonesian gambling boss.

Several city detectives have been sent to Singapore to
investigate means of arresting arrest Hong Lie.

Last week, Apiu and Eng San were arrested for their alleged
role in the killing.

During the August trial of Agiono and Sudartono, a number of
unidentified people, who claimed, variously, to have been sent by
the victim's family or by Hong Lie, distributed envelopes to
journalists containing money.

According to Mulyana, the government should take serious steps
to weaken the power of crime syndicates in Indonesia.

"Political support is needed in stiffening law enforcement in
the country," he said. (bsr)