Slain journalist's widow refuses examination

Slain journalist's widow refuses examination

YOGYAKARTA (JP): Marsiyem, the wife of slain journalist Fuad
Muhammad Syafruddin, answered a police summons yesterday but
refused to undergo a psychiatric examination to determine whether
she could withstand further questioning.

Accompanied by her lawyers, Ari Suseta, Winarsa and Budi
Hartono, Marsiyem went to the Yogyakarta police station but told
chief investigator Lt. Col. Hanifan she was not willing to be
taken to hospital to be examined.

She was also accompanied by Soemardi, the psychiatrist who had
previously diagnosed her as being depressed, saying she should
not be subjected to further questioning lest her condition
worsen.

"I am not willing to be examined. I am still sick," Marsiyem
told Hanifan. She then signed a statement refusing the
examination. She also requested permission to rest in one of the
police station's rooms complaining of fatigue.

Yesterday, Soemardi said Marsiyem was somewhat better but
still weak and unstable. On several earlier occasions, Soemardi
has said Marsiyem's mental health would be put at serious risk if
police persisted with their demands to question her.

The investigation into the August murder has not progressed
smoothly, being marked by procedural twists and turns that has
attracted criticism about the police.

For instance, the police borrowed a sample of the journalist's
blood for investigation, and never returned the remainder. When
asked, police said the blood sample had been floated out to sea,
in the Javanese tradition of labuh, so that superhuman powers
would not obstruct the investigation.

Police also arrested Dwi Sumaji, alias Iwik, in a manner that
drew public fire. Police reportedly tried to bribe him, a driver
at a local advertising firm, with wealth and position in return
for his confession to the killing. Dwi was also "given a woman"
and given alcoholic drinks until he passed out before being taken
into police custody.

Marsiyem has testified that Dwi was not the man who went to
her house on the evening of Aug. 13 and bludgeoned her husband.
But police still insist he is the killer although they have
released him pending further investigation.

Yesterday, the lawyers said Marsiyem had the right not to take
the psychiatric examination. Ari Suseta said the Yogyakarta
police, on the other hand, had no right to insist that a witness'
health be examined.

According to the Criminal Code, investigators may request
physical and mental examinations for victims only, Ari argued.

"The investigators are only trying to force their wishes on
the witness," Budi charged.

Since the death of Fuad, also known as Udin, on Aug. 16,
Marsiyem has been questioned seven times. She fell into a deep
depression and was reportedly unable to recognize people several
days before the police held a reconstruction of the murder late
last year.

Police held the reconstruction twice, and Marsiyem failed to
participate in it both times. Dwi has denied killing the
journalist.

Book

Fuad, a journalist at the Bernas daily, was known for his
critical reporting on the policies of both the Yogyakarta
provincial and Bantul regency administrations. Shortly after he
died on Aug. 16, there was intense speculation about the link
between his writing and the murder.

Yesterday, a group of journalists launched a compilation of
Fuad's writings. Entitled Udin. Darah Wartawan: Liputan Menjelang
Kematian (Udin. The Blood of a Journalist: Reports Prior to
Death), the book was published by Pustaka Republika and Mizan
publishing.

At a reception at the Yogyakarta branch of the Indonesian
Journalists' Association, the secretary-general of the
association, Parni Hadi, presented Fuad's father with a copy of
the book. Attending the occasion were poet Emha Ainun Nadjib,
senior journalist Sindhunata and Inspector General of Development
Kentot Harseno.

Editor Noorca M. Massardi said the book was published to help
the public understand the kind of writings that had reportedly
led to Fuad's death. (23/swe)