Sidewalk vendor stabbed to death

JAKARTA (JP): A sidewalk vendor was stabbed to death yesterday by a group of alleged hoodlums in the National Monument (Monas) park in Central Jakarta after he intervened in an extortion attempt.

The victim, identified as 22-year-old Sei bin Mugiyo, quarreled with four men after he told the group not to bother a couple relaxing in the park at 1 a.m., the victim's friend, Munadi, said.

"The hoodlums, who also sing in the streets, usually ask for protection money from any visitors to the park."

Munadi said the men were apparently offended by Sei's comments so they attacked him and one of them stabbed him in the heart.

The four offenders fled the scene, leaving Sei to die.

Gambir Police sent Sei's body to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for a postmortem examination.

Sei, who migrated from Madura in East Java just five months ago, is survived by his wife and a 40-day-old baby girl in Madura, Munadi said.

He lived in a rented house with other Madurese migrants in Kwitang area, Central Jakarta.

Munadi, who was one of Sei's many Madurese friends visiting the morgue, said the task of finding the killers had been left to the police.

"Sei's friends initially thought about patrolling the Monas area to take revenge, but I told them that we're here only to earn money. Don't act as heroes ... let the police do their job."

Munadi said that Monas park was not a safe place for people who wanted to enjoy the night air or even for the traders who sold food and beverages there.

The hoodlums try to extort money from park visitors and vendors, he said.

"We're easy targets for them. They drink and eat as they like without paying for anything every day," Munadi, who owns a food stall, said.

Sei's body will be sent to Madura today as requested by the victim's parents. (04)