TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Jakarta Metro Police have arrested and detained the United Development Party (PPP) politician, Habil Marati, for allegedly involved in the assassination attempt of a number of national figures and in May 22 riot. He was named suspect along with retired army general Kivlan Zein.

“He has been arrested last week,” said National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Dedi Prasetyo via a short message, Wednesday, June 12.

Through a statement conveyed in the Coordinating Minister of Politics, Legal, and Security office, Tuesday, May 11, National Police spokesman Ir. Gen. Muhammad Iqbal said the police was investigating the mastermind behind the purchase of illegal firearms and the assassination attempt of national figures.

As of date, based on the suspects’ testimony obtained by the police, they mentioned Kivlan Zein and Habil.

The alleged involvement of Habil was revealed in Tempo Magazine's reports regarding the actors behind the riot in Jakarta on May 22. In the magazine’s edition of June 10, Habil reportedly gave Rp60 million to Kurniawan alias Iwan.

Iwan is among four suspects using illegal firearms during the riot. He used to be Kivlan Zein’s former aide and deserted his military post in 2005. Iwan testified that he was ordered to kill several figures.

Habil Marati’s attorney, Sugito Atmo Prawiro, said the fund was his client’s contribution to finance a discussion event regarding Pancasila and anti-communism. “No relevance between Pak Habil’s activity and the assassination attempt of several figures,” said Sugito, adding that Habil Marati denied he was called as a firearms purchase donor.

ADAM PRIREZA