Police firm on suspect in Udin murder case
Police firm on suspect in Udin murder case
JAKARTA (JP): Police yesterday maintained their belief that
Dwi Sumaji killed Yogyakarta journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin,
despite criticism from all corners about their handling of the
August murder case.
Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo said in a hearing with the
House Commission I on political and security affairs that all
evidence has so far supported the murder charge that police have
leveled against Sumaji, a driver at a local advertising agency,
who was arrested on Oct. 21.
The latest proof, Dibyo said, was a DNA test, conducted at a
laboratory in England recently, which confirmed that a speck of
blood on a shirt, that police claim Sumaji wore on the night of
the murder, belonged to Fuad, better known as Udin.
"We will not seek his (Sumaji's) confession. We heavily rely
on evidence to bring him to court," Dibyo said.
He said his insistence on targeting Sumaji in the
investigation process did not violate the presumption of
innocence.
The investigation procedure has created a division with the
police on one side, and the Indonesian Journalists Association
and the National Commission on Human Rights on the other. The two
latter organizations have suggested police question witnesses in
an attempt to look for other suspects.
"The court will explain this case as clearly as possible. We
just tried our best. We let other people have different opinions,
but at least we have done what they asked us to do," Dibyo said.
He said the police had also interviewed, not questioned,
Bantul Regent Sri Roso Sudarmo, as some people believe he might
have been involved in the attack. Udin was well known for his
sharp criticism of the development policies of Yogyakarta and
Bantul regencies.
"Police need the Yogyakarta Governor's consent for a
questioning. The regent came to us while we were waiting for the
governor's nod," Dibyo said.
The murder case has received continual media coverage over the
past two months for what has been termed 'oddities' in the police
investigation procedures. The arrest of Sumaji reportedly
involved the use of a call-girl and intimidation.
The police attempted a second reconstruction of the crime
Monday, but this was disrupted when Sumaji refused to continue
and protested his innocence. Udin's wife, a key witness, failed
to turn up to the reconstruction because of illness.
The Yogyakarta prosecutors office had ordered a reconstruction
be held to complement police dossiers on Sumaji, but Dibyo said
yesterday that the procedure was not needed.
"Reconstruction is not essential since the Criminal Code
Procedures do not regulate it. It serves only to convince the
prosecutors," Dibyo said.
Meanwhile, the health of Udin's wife, Marsiyem, deteriorated
yesterday. Reporters who visited the widow in Yogyakarta were
told by Udin's father she could not leave her bed.
A doctor has diagnosed Marsiyem as suffering from depression.
Jakarta-based magazine Gatra gave Marsiyem Rp 3 million
(US$1,300) in cash on its second anniversary yesterday. Another
cash donation of Rp 1 million was given by the magazine to
Sumaji's wife, Sunarti.
Separately, Coordinating Minister for Political and Security
Affairs Soesilo Soedarman called yesterday for the investigation
to follow the proper procedures.
"Everything must abide by the presumption of innocence
principle," Soesilo said. (23/amd)