M Top's father-in-law mingles with Garut locals

Bahrudin Latif, also known as Baridin, the father-in-law of slain Malaysian terrorist Noordin M Top, was arrested in Garut, West Java, last Thursday, where he passed himself off as Usmani from Yogyakarta.

Antara news agency reported Saturday that after his mandatory introduction to a local neighborhood unit head in Banyuasih hamlet, Pamalayan village, Cikelet district in Garut, Baridin alias Usmani stayed in a small hut.

Samino, who lived next to Usmani, said Usmani approached him and assisted him in making traditional sugar from areca palm trees.

Samino said it never crossed his mind that Usmani was actually terror suspect Baridin who the police had long been seeking.

Another neighbor, Pandi, said Usmani was a good electrician. Usmani had once helped him repair with electrical repairs at his house, which was hit by an earthquake.

Firon, another villager, said Baridin prayed with other villagers at the village mosque and even gave Koran lessons to village children.

Samino, Pandi, Firon and other villagers were surprised on Thursday morning when armed police came to the village and arrested Usmani.

Noordin M Top was killed in a police raid on a house in Surakarta, Central Java, last September. He married Baridin's daughter, Arina. Arina was Noordin's third wife.

Baridin went into hiding after police arrested terror suspect Saefudin Zuhry in Nusawungu, Cilacap, last June.