Reporter dies on duty

JAKARTA (JP): Crime reporter Catur Budi Hartono, 25, of the Warta Kota daily was killed on Thursday in a traffic accident near the Ayam Grendeng traditional market in Tangerang.

Catur was returning to the daily's Tangerang office from the mayoralty administration office in Jatiuwung, where he collected facts for a story on drugs, when a truck ran him over.

"Riding his motorcycle, he was turning left onto Jl. Imam Bonjol when a minivan suddenly stopped. He crashed into the van and fell down, while from behind a truck was approaching," the daily's managing editor, Banu Astono, said in a statement made available to The Jakarta Post.

Born in Klaten, Central Java, Catur was known by his friends as a gentle person and a workaholic.

Catur joined the daily in July 1999, when he was completing his studies at the Jakarta-based Institute of Social and Political Sciences.

His remains were brought to the daily's main office in West Jakarta later in the evening, where prayers were held.

His body will be taken to his hometown on Friday for burial. (ylt)