The Third Party

DWI Sumaji recalls clearly his bitter experience of 18 years ago. Accused of torturing Bernas reporter Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin, he was detained at the Yogyakarta Regional Police Station for 58 days. "I will never forget it," said the 52-year-old at his house in Sleman, Yogyakarta, last August.

The police alleges that Iwik (Dwi's nickname) was jealous because his wife, Sunarti, was having an affair with Syafrudin alias Udin. It all started on the morning of October 21, 1996. Iwik, who is now a public transport driver and sells fertilizer tablets, at the time was riding the bus to the office of Dimas Advertising on Jalan Magelang, Yogyakarta. On the road, he was asked to get off the bus by Franky, who a few days earlier had said he would order a billboard from Dimas.