Key Witness on Munir's Case Passes Away

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Key Witness on Munir's Case Passes Away

“We will see whether Ongen’s death will affect, and close, the case for good.”

VIVAnews - A key witness in the murder case of a human rights activist, Munir, named Raymond J Latuihamalo (56) alias Ongen, passed away on Wednesday of a heart attack. One of the activists of Committee of Solidarity Action for Munir (Kasum), Usman Hamid, expected further investigation of Ongen’s death be set out.

“Is it true because of a heart attack or is there any other cause of death?  Considering his position in Munir’s case, it’s reasonable to have such a suspicion. The Police must be looking into it to the fullest,” Usman told VIVAnews on Thursday.

The news of Ongen’s death was delivered by his close relative who is also a singer, Glenn Fredly. “We have been working together with Glenn recently.  Social issue campaigns in the eastern of Indonesia, starting from music collaboration to political discussions and film screenings,” said Usman.

Glenn also broadcasted the news through a microblogging site, Twitter: “I just lost the most important person in my life, my uncle, Ongen Latuihamallo. I am deeply heartsick, dear friends..Rest in Love om Ongen..."
Usman went on to say that Ongen topped the list of witnesses on Munir’s case as he was the only one witnessing former pilot of Garuda, Pollycarpus Budihari Priyanto, with Munir during the transit in Changi Airport, Singapore, prior to Munir's death.

Pollycarpus was a convict in Munir’s murder.

“We will see whether Ongen’s death will affect, and close, the case for good,” said Usman.

Munir was poisoned aboard a Garuda Indonesia airplane en route to Amsterdam on 7 September 2004. Arsenic poison was allegedly inserted into Munir’s drink while in transit in Singapore