Police to Help Conduct DNA Tests on Tsunami Victim

Banda Aceh, Aceh province (Antara) - The West Aceh district police office are willing to help conduct DNA test of a newly discovered survivor after 10 years as a result of the tsunami that had occurred on December 26, 2004. "We will help Weniati family to carry out the DNA test. We are also ready to help seek Weniati's brother who is allegedly still alive," chief of the West Aceh police precinct, Adjunct Senior Commissioner Faisal Rivai, reported in Meulaboh on Friday. However, Weniati's family has not yet submitted a formal complaint to the police about their two children, Faisal noted. "So far, the family has not yet made a formal report (to police) to find their other missing child, including the requirement of a DNA test against Weniati. If a formal report is received from the family of the tsunami victim, then we will seek assistance from the Aceh provincial police office and police headquarters (in Jakarta) to conduct the DNA test," Faisal said. Weniati alias Raudatul Jannah (14 years) has returned to her parents Jamaliah (mother) and Septi Rangkuti (father) after being separated for almost 10 years due to the tsunami that swept her away on December 26, 2004. Faisal further said the police has not yet conducted enquiry, such as asking for a birth certificate of Weniati or witness testimony that the couple Septi Rangkuti (52) and Jamaliah (42) had two children who were swept away in the 2004 tsunami. Weniati and her brother Arif Pratama were 4.5 and 7 years old, respectively, when the tsunami occurred. (*)