Rizki Fachriansyah, Jakarta – A female staff member at a private firm in Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta, allegedly hired a group of contract killers to murder her employer on Aug. 13 in a purported attempt to fend off suspicions of tax fraud and retaliate against what she claimed to be harassment.
The Jakarta Police found that the woman – identified only as NL – had reportedly paid Rp 200 million (US$13,606) for the murder of Sugianto, the owner of private company PT DTJ.
Security camera footage shows Sugianto getting shot five times in the back in front of Royal Gading Square as he is returning home for lunch by a man wearing a cap and a facemask. Sugianto died immediately at the scene of the crime.
Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Nana Sudjana said that NL had asked her partner, M, in March about possible ways to murder Sugianto, adding that she claimed to have often been subjected to verbal abuse and harassment by her employer.
Furthermore, NL, who worked at the company's administration department, had reportedly intended to cover up her involvement in falsifying the firm's tax returns.
"Around March 20, [NL] asked M [about the plan], but did not receive any response," Nana told a press conference on Monday.
However, her partner finally relented and agreed to assist her in carrying out her plan after she claimed that she had been threatened by Sugianto.
"NL said she was threatened by the victim, so she ordered his execution," Nana said.
M then proceeded to seek out a group of contract killers, while NL prepared Rp 200 million to pay for her boss' murder, he added.
According to the police, NL transferred one half of the funds – Rp 100 million – to M's account on Aug. 4. The rest of the money was later handed over in cash on Aug. 6. The murder was allegedly carried out by two field hitmen following the payment.
The police have since arrested 12 suspects, including NL and M, as well as other individuals affiliated with the group of contract killers.
"[One suspect] acted as the executor. [Another] was on the lookout during the execution," Nana said as quoted by kompas.com.
"Eight people were arrested in Lampung; one in Cibubur, East Jakarta; and two in East Java," Nana said.
The suspects face charges under Article 340 of the Criminal Code, which carries the death penalty or a maximum of 20 years in prison, Article 338 with a maximum 15 years' imprisonment and Emergency Law No. 12/1951, also with a maximum 15 years.
According to the police, NL's motive for the murder was due to years of alleged harassment and humiliation by Sugianto.
"NL was often asked to engage in sexual acts [with the victim]," Nana said. "She was also afraid because she had been falsifying the firm's tax returns since 2015."