PDI security guards queried as witnesses

JAKARTA (JP): City police summoned six security guards of the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI) camp loyal to Megawati Soekarnoputri yesterday in their capacity as witnesses to the bloody attack on the party's headquarters on July 27, 1996.

Trakelin Brahmana, lawyer for the men, identified them as Bambang Setiabudi, Soni Chandra, Thomas Resmon, Didik Budiharto, Naman bin M. Nur and Anton Sogo Hayono.

Speaking after the 3.5-hour cross-examination yesterday, Trakelin said police decided to first question Bambang, Naman and Anton, with the other three scheduled for questioning today.

"During the questioning, police gave 13 questions to each witness to verify the acts of arson, destruction, assault and abuse against Megawati supporters at PDI headquarters on Jl. Diponegoro 58, Central Jakarta.

"Police also asked about the chronology of the takeover and the whereabouts of the security guards when the incident happened."

The six were among PDI's 124 security guards who were arrested in the July 27 incident.

All 124 were sentenced to four months' imprisonment for ignoring police orders and refusing to disperse under Article 218 of the Criminal Code.

"It is possible that police will summon the whole group to be questioned as witnesses in the incident," Trakelin added.

The guards testified yesterday that they saw Butu Hutapea, the secretary-general of the PDI faction affiliated with government- endorsed Soerjadi, inciting and leading the mob in the attack.

Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman vowed yesterday to continue the investigation into the July 27 incident.

"Please wait for further results of our examination. We are now gathering facts and trying to reveal the truth.

"But please do not ask me about what happened two years ago. I was not the chief back then," he said. (edt)