Farmer dies three days after winning award<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): A farmer from North Sumatra, recently honored by
\nPresident B.J. Habibie for his success in promoting the
\nagricultural intensification program, collapsed and died on
\nMonday at Gambir Railway Station, Central Jakarta.<\/p>\n
Muhammad Syapei, 42, a resident of Lubuk Rotan village in
\nPerbaungan district, Deli Serdang regency, is believed to have
\ndied from a heart attack.<\/p>\n
The chief of the Deli Serdang agricultural office, Syafruddin
\nNasution, said Syapei collapsed on arrival at about 7 a.m. after
\nspending his weekend in Bandung, West Java.<\/p>\n
Syafruddin, who accompanied Syapei and other farmers during
\ntheir visit to Java, said he was scheduled to return by boat to
\nthe North Sumatra capital of Medan on Monday afternoon.<\/p>\n
\"As soon as we arrived at the station, I left him to watch our
\nluggage while I went to the restroom.<\/p>\n
\"I still saw him smoking, but seconds later he slid down
\nslowly where he was standing.\"<\/p>\n
The group immediately searched for medical assistance, but
\ncould not find any at the station.<\/p>\n
\"We finally took him to a clinic at the Pertamina building
\nacross the street. By the time we arrived there, the doctor
\npronounced him dead,\" Syafruddin said at Cipto Mangunkusumo
\nGeneral Hospital where an autopsy was performed.<\/p>\n
Syapei was one of the 13 farmers honored nationally in the
\n1998 intensification program.<\/p>\n
Awards, consisting of a trophy, agricultural equipment and a
\nsaving accounts, were presented by Habibie in a special ceremony
\nat the State Palace on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Syafruddin said Syapei never complained of illness during the
\ntrip.<\/p>\n
\"He was so enthusiastic about this award. He was overjoyed to
\nbe one of the winners,\" he said. (ivy)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/farmer-dies-three-days-after-winning-award-1447893297",
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