Sidewalk vendor stabbed to death

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)