Two nabbed in Medan slaying, Malaysian hitmen suspected

The North Sumatra Police say they have arrested two men allegedly connected to the shocking murder of a husband and wife in Medan — and are looking for 2 Malaysian triggermen.

Awi, a fish merchant, and his wife, Dora Halim, were shot 25 times as they sat in their car in the garage of their home on March 31.

The suspects were arrested separately. Officers nabbed Sun An in Asahan regency and Ang Ho in Medan. The pair are both residents of Bagansiapi-api, Riau.

North Sumatra Police chief Insp. Gen. Wisjnu Amat Sastro said officers were currently conducting a manhunt for seven other suspects allegedly connected to the murder, including a neighborhood unit chief in Bagansiapi-api, a middleman and two triggermen.

“We are currently hunting for the seven suspects and hope to catch them within moments,” Wisjnu told reporters in Medan on Thursday.

The North Sumatra Police have asked the National Police headquarters for help in locating one suspect, Acui, alias Halim Winata, who investigators believe might have fled the province, Wisjnu said.

The suspects had planned the murder for a long time, according to Wisjnu, and had met several times in three star-hotels in Medan and Asahan.

Asked about a potential motive, Wisjnu said it was related to business.

“The victims and suspects were actually friends. They were engaged in the fishery and ship businesses,” Wisjnu said.

According to a source in the Medan City Police detective unit who declined to be named, the murder was likely related to the auction of 15 fishing boats at Belawan Port.

The Water Police impounded the boats from Malaysians suspected of fishing in Indonesian waters illegally.

Awi purchased some of the boats at auction and sank them over the desires of their original owners, who wanted to buy back their property.

The boat owners were angered after Awi destroyed the boats, according to police, and allegedly hired contract killers from an international syndicate.

The police source alleged that the boat owners paid the killers, identified as Malaysian citizens, 200 million (US$23,000) to murder Awi and Dora.

“The case is intriguing and the first to occur in Medan. We have been challenged to solve the case immediately,” the police source said.

On the potential involvement of an international murder syndicate, Wisjnu said, “We will explain everything after all the suspects have been arrested.”

North Sumatra Police detective and criminal unit chief Sr. Comr. Agus Adriyanto said investigators and the immigration office were working to identify the criminal syndicate involved in the murder.

“The police and immigration office are working to prevent the suspects from fleeing overseas,” Agus said

Awi, also known as Kho Wie To, 34, and Dora Halim, 30, died at the scene after they were riddled with bullets as Awi parked his car in the garage of the couple’s home on Jl. Akasia, Medan.

Awi and Dora’s son, Cristovin, 3, was shot in the led and his babysitter, Aini, was shot in the knee, according to police.