'Program good, but shouldn't include torture'<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman
\nDjojonegoro told reporters yesterday that the program known as
\nHigher Education Orientation -- a special orientation program for
\nfreshmen students -- is good but must be reported to the police
\nif elements of torture are involved.<\/p>\n
Wardiman was giving his opinion on whether the program was
\nstill considered necessary after the death of a student following
\nthe program at the University of Indonesia on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Amirullah, 19, a student of the university's School of Physics
\ndied on the second day of the program.<\/p>\n
Amirullah's death sparks criticism from City Councilors, who
\ndemanded that the program be re-evaluated or abolished entirely.<\/p>\n
Saud Rahman, of the United Development Party, said the program
\nwas no longer viable and should be substituted with a refresher
\ncourse, while Lukman Mokoginta, of the Indonesian Democratic
\nParty, said the contents of the program should be re-evaluated.<\/p>\n
"The program is still needed for new students to become
\nfamiliar with their campus, but it would be better if it could be
\nmade more academic, such as through introduction courses on the
\nuniversity's organizations," Lukman said, reported Suara
\nPembaruan.<\/p>\n
Wardiman said the program is good as long as the rules are
\nmaintained, but since the organizing committee is changed every
\nyear, unexpected incidents sometimes occur.<\/p>\n
The committee is under the supervision of the university's
\ndirector, Wardiman said.<\/p>\n
Regarding the Amirullah case, Wardiman said he had not
\nreceived a report on the matter, but whether Amirullah's death
\nwas caused by the program should be investigated.<\/p>\n
According to an official from the University of Indonesia,
\nUmar Mansur, Amirullah's death was caused by an illness, which he
\nhad suffered from for years.<\/p>\n
Amirullah reportedly died because he suffered from a lack of
\npotassium, Umar Mansur said, quoting information received from
\nthe Pertamina hospital, where the victim was treated.<\/p>\n
Amirullah's father, M. Abduh, denied the assertion, saying
\nthat his son suffered no illness except for a case of sinusitis.<\/p>\n
Pertamina hospital surgeon, Aji Prayitno, who treated
\nAmirullah, was not available for comment, but the hospital's
\nbureau of general affairs chief, Syahrir Mohamad, confirmed that
\nthe victim was in a physically weak condition when he was brought
\nto the hospital.<\/p>\n
"Due to his condition, the hospital decided to hospitalize
\nhim. We also took a sample of his blood for testing, but he died
\nbefore the results were ready," Syahrir told The Jakarta Post,
\nadding that the hospital was keeping the results.<\/p>\n
Deaths and serious mishaps during orientation programs have
\nbeen reported from a number of campuses in the past, the most
\nrecent of which occurred in February, at the Tarumanegara private
\nuniversity in Jakarta. (01\/05)<\/p>",
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