TWO weeks ago, hundreds of supporters crowded around Rajestin Sitorus and Ronidi Sidamanik during their campaign for election as mayor and deputy mayor of Simalungun in North Sumatra.

As the crowd dispersed, one of the supporters made a particularly hasty exit. Escorted by bodyguards, renowned Sumatran businessman Darianus Lungguk Sitorus fled from the campaign in his Mercedes sports car, heading towards Siantar Hotel, the only three-star hotel i