Indonesian Serial Killers

Ahmad Suradji was arrested in mid 1997 after three bodies were found buried in a sugarcane plantation near his home on the outskirts of Medan, the capital of North Sumatra.

Ahmad, also known as Nasib Kelewang or Datuk Maringgi, practiced black magic. Many people believed he had paranormal powers, and often asked him for medical and spiritual advice. He projected himself as the key to money, success or love. His powers would make someone fall in love or would grant you all your heart desired.

His 42 victims were buried with their heads facing his house, which is in strong contradiction to the dead facing Mecca as is custom for Muslims. He believed that this would grant him extra power. He even told police that nine years before his arrest he had a dream in which the ghost of his father told him to kill 70 women and drink their saliva so he could become a dukan, or mystic healer.

Ahmad was the most famous of those who have been caught but Black Magic still plays a prominent role in Indonesian life. There are many Faustian type tales of rich business men selling their or their children's souls to the "forces of evil". 

There is a rumor that the owner of Gudang Garam (a local brand of cigarettes) sold his daughter into eternal slavery as a mermaid in exchange for his wealth. Mount Kawi, in Java, is said to be the home of many children who have been changed into monkeys to grant their parents worldly wealth.

These rumours aside there is still the very tangible fact that many of the police's unsolved killings come from the simple fact that the bodies are cut up and distributed all over Jakarta. The police may find an arm or a leg but not enough of the body to make a positive ID. Whether this is part of a Black Magic ritual, the work of a serial killer or a popular way to avoid detection is unknown.

Throughout History, including the history of Kalimantan and parts of Sumatera, the eating of certain body parts has been considered to pass on the "jiwa" or life force. Serial killers are like modern day vampires their wish to contradict what is considered taboo is probably what makes them so scary. Someone who is prepared to start where we would when push came to shove most definitely stop.