Police mum on kyai murders

SURABAYA: Several House of Representatives (DPR) members were angered on Friday by the blase attitude of East Java Police chief Insp. Gen. Heru Susanto and East Java Military chief May. Gen. Achmad D. Sikki in explaining last week's slaying of two National Awakening Party (PKB) clerics, or kyai, in Jember and Lumajang, East Java.

"They are arrogant to withhold an explanation of these cases (from the House). They should have taken the initiative to do so," said Yasril Ananta Baharudin, a member of House Commission I Surabaya.

Yasril said Commission I had invited the East Java Police chief to explain the killings, but he didn't show up.

"The cases have become a public issue, and in the end, have the potential to make the people nervous. House members should be informed about such cases," he said.

The criticism was countered coolly by Achmad, who merely said an East Java Police team was already looking into the matter.

"We have already assigned an investigative team, and this case is pure criminal," Achmad said. -- Antara