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businessman was stabbed to death in a fight outside the Kafe 999 nightclub in Kemang, South Jakarta, early on Sunday.

Mampang Police Precinct detective chief Adj. Comr. Sujarwo said that Ahmad Zaedani Noor, 38, from Aceh, was leaving the club with his wife, Sara, and Singaporean business partner Nirmal Balakrisman at around 3:30 a.m. when they were approached by a man in the parking lot.

Witnesses told the police that the man appeared to be drunk.

A quarrel and some shoving ensued, and around 10 men came to the assistence of the unidentified man.

Witnesses said they heard someone saying “I don’t know who you are,” before Ahmad suddenly staggered toward his wife, stabbed in the chest.

Ahmad was rushed to the nearest Jakarta Medical Center hospital in Mampang where he died. His body has been moved to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta for an autopsy.

The perpetrators fled the scene before police arrived.

Sujarwo said his unit had questioned seven witnesses including Sara and Nirmal.

“We haven’t got sufficient information from the witnesses to identify the culprits. They were either too tired or still in shock,” he said.

The incident was most likely not premeditated murder.

Sara and Nirmal, the officer said, told police that Ahmad was not involved in any dispute inside the club prior to the stabbing.

Other than Sara and Nirmal, witnesses summoned are employees of the nightclub, including parking attendants.

Sujarwo said that police were conducting an investigation at the club’s parking lot, which as of going to press was still covered in blood.

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said police would intensify patrols around the area.

The tony Kemang area is well known for its clubs, cafes and entertainment spots. Violence among party revelers is common in the area.

In November last year, Raafi Aga Winasya Benyamin, a student at Pangudi Luhur Catholic High School, was stabbed to death while partying at the Shy Rooftop café bar in Kemang.

Police arrested Sher Mohammad Febriawan, 41, as a prime suspect, along with his wife, Caecillia Maria Constanza aka Conny Abel, and three of their friends after investigating the crime for one month.

Before he was stabbed in the stomach, Raafi and his friends were involved in a fight with Febriawan’s group. Raafi, who reportedly started the fight by pushing Conny until she fell over, was seen throwing a cigarette butt at one of his opponents.

The South Jakarta District Court exonerated Febriawan in July, arguing that there was no evidence supporting the prosecutor’s charges of murder, assault and abuse.

It prompted suspicion that Febriawan’s link with the 243 Siliwangi Club’s leader Yapto Soerjosomarno, a man known for his strong ties to several generals, had played a substantial role in the outcome of the case. (aml)