Suspects admits killing Beng Seng in self defense

Suspects admits killing Beng Seng in self defense

JAKARTA (JP): Two men charged with the murder of businessman
Darmansyah Sujadi, alias Nyo Beng Seng, admitted their guilt
yesterday, but stressed that it was in self defense and not
premeditated as charged.

Agiono and Atok, during separate cross examinations at the
North Jakarta District Court, said yesterday that they never
planned the murder and denied the accusation that they were hired
by another businessman to kill Beng Seng in April 1994.

"We went to see Nyo Beng Seng to collect a debt for Ahak, and
not to kill him," Agiono told Judge Sumardjono.

Agiono said he, Atok and three others waited for Beng Seng
outside the house of his second wife in Pluit on the day of the
incident.

He and Atok got out of the car as soon as they saw Beng Seng
arrive, when the businessman began screaming "robbers".

Believing that Beng Seng tried to obtain a "weapon" from his
car, the two men started attacking him.

Agiono said he stabbed Beng Seng with a knife three times, but
could not explain precisely what parts of the body. "It was dark
when the incident happened."

Earlier police accounts said that Beng Seng had been killed in
front of the Pluit house by a number of masked men.

The state prosecutors said that Agiono and Atok were paid by
Hong Lie, also a businessman, to carry out the murder because
Beng Seng owed him Rp 600 million ($275,000).

Beng Seng was an owner of the PT Irama Tara recording company
as well as several massage parlors and night clubs in Jakarta. He
was also a contact person for Indonesians who wanted to gamble at
exclusive places overseas, such as in Malaysia, Hong Kong, and
Australia.

Police said seven people were involved in the murder. The
other five suspects -- identified as Ahak, Barki, Agus, Yudi, and
Pramono -- are still at large. Hong Lie, who is now believed to
be in Singapore, is also wanted in connection with the murder.

Agiono and Atok denied that they were hired by Hong Lie.

The day after the killing, the suspects claim to have gone
their separate ways and were reunited in Singapore

There, they met with Hong Lie and stayed for two months before
Hong Lie suggested that they turn themselves for fear that their
presence in Singapore would implicate him.

Hong Lie also promised to "take care of them" once they served
their prison term in Indonesia.

Agiono and Atok followed Hong Lie's suggestion. They returned
to Indonesia in November and were apprehended by police at the
Sukarno-Hatta airport.

The trial was adjourned until Thursday. (29)