Shaman admits poisoning seven clients seeking fortune

Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post/Cirebon

Police disclosed on Wednesday that the police had discovered the motive behind the deaths of seven people seeking good fortune via supernatural means in Tegal regency.

Iskandar, a shaman and the main suspect in the case, has confessed to police investigators that he put poison in the 'magic potions' he gave his victims, who were his clients,

According to Iskandar, 42, he had decided to kill the clients as he was fed up with their attitude. He claimed that the clients had repeatedly reminded him of his earlier promises that he could make them very rich. The clients also demanded that he return their money, amounting to Rp 10 million (US$1,111) per client. The shaman had earlier requested the money from his clients, saying that he would return Rp 1 billion each to them.

The murders began when nine clients, from various parts of Tegal regency, Central Java, met the shaman on the evening of last Wednesday in Kupu subdistrict, where Rofi'i, a client, lives. During the meeting, the nine were requested by Iskandar to participate in various rituals and to drink the potion, which had been "blessed" by him.

The magic potion had to be consumed on Thursday night (a sacred time for the Javanese), said Iskandar.

The clients drank the beverage separately in their homes a day later, and five of them, including a husband and wife, died as a result. Two others, Suwirjo, 53 and Ning Tati, 50, another husband-and-wife couple, were found dead later on Thursday near the local cemetery in Kejambon subdistrict, Tegal regency. Two others survived the poisoning attempt after being admitted to the local hospital.