Police wrap up Sanex Steel murder case

JAKARTA: City police investigators have submitted the file on the murder case of Tan Harry Tantono, owner of PT Sanex Steel Indonesia and five suspects to prosecutors.

“The suspects are now detained at Salemba Penitentiary in East Jakarta pending trial,” defense lawyer Tofik Chandra said on Monday.

He said that Tuce Kei and Chandra Kei were charged with premeditated murder, while Ancola Kei, Deni Res and Kupra were charged with assault.

Tantono was found dead in his hotel room in Central Jakarta last January with 32 stab wounds. The police rounded up the suspects, including their patron John Kei for allegedly masterminding the murder. Two other suspects, Yoseph Hungan and Mukhlis, turned themselves in.

The police at first suspected the murder related to debt collection fees of Rp 600 million (US$63,525) that Tantono owed the suspects for their services. Further investigation revealed deadlocked negotiations over the company’s stock sharing between John Kei and Tantono.