Residents attack suspected murderer

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)