Residents attack suspected murderer

JAKARTA (JP): Angry residents of Sungai Bambu subdistrict in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, attacked a man suspected of killing a widowed mother of two and injuring her younger brother on Monday.

The suspect, identified as Abdul Gani, 40, was admitted to Soekanto Police Hospital in East Jakarta for treatment for injuries sustained in the attack.

Residents said Gani killed 41-year-old Rosmina Marbun who died of severe stab wounds to her entire body, including slashed fingers, and wounded 24-year-old Sabam Marbun. The latter is hospitalized with critical head injuries.

North Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Wisjnu Amat Sastra confirmed the incident. He said the mobbing happened only a few minutes after neighbors in the slum area discovered the attack on the Marbun family.

The mobbing was reported to the precinct at around 10 a.m.

"Both Rosmina and Sabam were found by their close neighbors in their living room. Some of them claimed they heard yells and screams from the house earlier," Wisjnu said.

When residents rushed to the scene to check on the commotion, they found Rosmina's body and Sabam, who pointed to the back door.

After a search, neighbors found a man, brandishing a blood- stained machete, who challenged them to a fight when he was ordered to stop.

Locals encircled the man and attacked him until police.

Police said Abdul Gani, who was jobless and an acquaintance of the family, reportedly visited the house to ask for a Rp 1 million (US$117) loan to start a business.

Rosmina is believed to have said she did not have the money. Wisjnu speculated Abdul was enraged by the rejection.

"Maybe Rosmina told him harshly and the suspect became annoyed and committed the murder," Wisjnu said.

From Rosmina's injuries, police believe she resisted the attack and that Sabam was hurt when he attempted to help his sister.

Rosmina's body was sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta for a postmortem examination. Sabam is undergoing treatment at the same hospital.

Lamhot, the victims' brother, told reporters he personally did not know Abdul Gani but the suspect often helped his mother, Mrs. Sinaga, in land transactions.

"He's a kind of middleman and I assume he was offended as my mother gave him a smaller commission for his service in looking for buyers for our land."

A dejected Lamhot blamed himself for leaving his siblings alone.

"If I were there at least I could have helped Sabam fight the murderer," he said. (emf/01)