Anti-terror squad misses target again

JAKARTA LIFE'S STYLE. The Detachment 88 anti-terror squad raided the house of Maruto Jati Sulistyo, an alleged mastermind behind the recent bombings of Jakarta's JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton hotels, in Kendal, Central Java, on Thursday.

However, the squad came out empty-handed, finding only a few books about religion in the house, which now belongs to a contractor named Wahyono.

Maruto and his wife, Sri Utami, previously lived in the house. They were both medical students at Sultan Agung Islamic University in Semarang and met there in 2003.

The young couple lived in the house for three years. In November 2003, Sri worked at the people's health center (Puskesmas) in Wonotunggal in the Batang regency. According to her friends, she was a very sociable person.

However, after giving birth to her first child, the doctor suddenly changed her appearance by starting to wear a jilbab (headscarf).

When Sri was about to be promoted to position as a state employee, she suddenly disappeared along with her young family.

Sri's father, Ngatmin, told reporters that his daughter and her family's sudden disappearance took place in 2006. Ever since, Ngatmin and his wife, Sri Wahyuni, have never been heard from again.

Ngatmin said that Maruto had to surrender as soon as possible to clarify the investigation.

"He can give himself up in Boja or in his hometown of Klaten," he said.

Maruto was born in Klaten, Central Java on April 20, 1980. He spent most of his childhood and finished both elementary and junior high school there. Maruto then moved to Semarang where he lived with his uncle and attended a state senior high school.

Ngatmin said that he could not confirm whether his daughter or her husband were involved in terrorism or not.

"The rumors about their involvement make us uneasy," he said.

Meanwhile, Maruto's older brother, Agung Purno Sarjono, said that he would personally take Maruto to the police himself if he knew where his younger brother was.

"I'm ready to fully cooperate with the police. It's been a long time since I have spoken to him. The last contacts was in 2006. He seemed fine back then.

However, our family was surprised in early 2007, to hear the news that he was involved in terrorism," said Agung, who is also a National Mandate Party legislator in Semarang's.

Agung said he believed Maruto had been brainwashed by Noordin M. Top, a prominent Malaysian fugitive.

Agung said that Maruto was a hard worker.

"He sold Islamic books and dresses to finance his education. Even when I became a legislator in 2004, he never once asked me for money. I believe he is innocent. He is hiding because he is afraid," he said.