Robbery believed behind murder of Taiwanese lady

JAKARTA (JP): A Taiwanese woman, found dead at a residence in North Jakarta Tuesday afternoon, is believed to have been murdered during a robbery, police said yesterday.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Tai Tung Hui, 32, may have been killed when she resisted the robbers at her boyfriend's home on Jl. Kelapa Cengkir in Kelapa Gading district.

"It was believed that Hui was killed because she fought back against the suspects."

Police believe the robbers made off with a Rolex wristwatch and at least Rp 32 million (US$3,200) in cash.

Aritonang said Hui's daughter, identified as An, 11, was the sole witness in the case.

"The child is believed have witnessed the incident. She is still in a deep trauma."

Aritonang said Hui's body was found lying at the front door with severe slash wounds to her abdomen, neck and arm.

He said officers were still probing the case.

A North Jakarta police officer said yesterday that his office was questioning two unidentified people, Hui's boyfriend and a maid.

The officer who asked for anonymity said the boyfriend was not at home when the incident occurred.

He said his office was also seeking a former maid at the residence who was fired about two weeks ago.

The maid, one of two at the home, was dismissed because she frequently allowed her boyfriend into the house when the owner was away, he added.

"This fired maid was once suspected of helping her boyfriend to steal some goods from the house," the officer said.

"Maybe she and her boyfriend wanted to get revenge by killing Hui's boyfriend, but killed Hui instead when they could not find their real target."

He said, however, that this was still only a theory and the investigation was continuing.

Hui arrived here on March 9 to visit her boyfriend, he added. (09/cst)