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)