Man commits suicide at Istiqlal mosque

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Fri, 10/03/2008 11:32 AM  |  City

With no family members coming to identify him, the body of a man who allegedly jumped from the fifth floor of Istiqlal mosque in Central Jakarta on Wednesday morning remained at Cipto Mangunkusumo morgue on Thursday.

"It's still here," said Syaiful, an officer at the morgue.

The man, identified as Holipu Madeong, 36, allegedly committed suicide after hundreds of Muslims, including President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Jusuf Kalla, performed their Idul Fitri prayers on the first day of Idul Fitri.

Holipu fell onto and injured a man named Usman Syafei, a resident of Tanjung Duren Timur in West Jakarta.

Holipu died at the scene, while Usman was rushed to a nearby hospital for immediate treatment.

During investigations of Holipu's personal items, police discovered a suicide note stating the man's apology to the mosque prayer leader and congregation who may have been affected by his action.

Holipu had lived in Manado, North Sulawesi, and worked as a driver, police say.

Police had yet to find a motive for his suicide.

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