Seven questioned over the death of senior FPI member

JAKARTA (JP): City police detectives have questioned seven witnesses in connection with the murder of Habib Saleh bin Abdullah Alatas, a leading figure in the Islam Defenders Front (FPI), an officer said on Monday.

"The witnesses were in the vicinity of the shooting when it occurred before dawn on Sunday.

"However, we're still focusing on locating the whereabouts of Muchdar, one of his son-in-laws, as the victim was involved in a long-running conflict with him," Sr. Insp. Moh. Hendra Sukartiyono of the Central Jakarta Police detectives chief announced at his office.

The seven witnesses questioned were Abdurrachim; Syecha, the victim's daughter; Udin; Nikmah, the victim's wife; Nadia; Helmi Alatas and Kadino.

Hendra, however, said the police would not be quick to label Muchdar a suspect in the case, despite the fact that he had the strongest motive to kill Habib Saleh.

"We are expecting to get information from Muchdar since he was involved in a conflict with the deceased, but we're still unable to find him since he lives at different places in Jakarta," he said, citing that police officers visited Muchdar's house in Condet, East Jakarta, on Sunday, but he was not there.

Hendra said the killer used a .45 caliber gun, but he refused to disclose the make.

Habib Saleh was fatally shot in front of his house on Jl. Percetakan Negara VII/8 in Central Jakarta before dawn on Sunday. He was about to perform his Subuh (predawn) prayer at the nearby An-Noor Mosque.

"One of two people riding on a motorcycle shot him in his left abdomen," said Hendra.

Immediately after the shooting, family members of the victim rushed out of the house to chase the assailants, but found Habib Saleh lying dead on the ground.

Angry at being unable to capture the murderers, the family members then vandalized the empty house of Muchdar, which is next door.

He dismissed speculation that the murder was in connection with FPI's recent political activities, including the protest and raid on the National Commission on Human Rights (Komnas HAM) on June 23, 2000.

"The police's preliminary investigation concluded that the murder might be connected to a dispute over a house on Jl. Percetakan Negara IX Blok MI/6, which belongs to the victim's parents," he said.

Hendra said the prolonged dispute had been brought to Central Jakarta District Court.

"The district court ruled in favor of Muchdar. The Jakarta High Court later upheld the verdict that Muchdar was the owner of the house," he said.

However, as the district court was about to execute the verdict on July 13 this year, the victim organized a mass prayer, which was guarded by FPI members, apparently to reject the court's execution, he said.

Hendra said the gathering was followed by a fight, in which four people were injured. (asa)