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)