49th case of suicide recorded

JAKARTA (JP): An employee of state-owned forestry company PT Inhutani II committed suicide yesterday by jumping from the 13th floor of Manggala Wanabhakti building in Central Jakarta, raising the death toll from suicides in the capital this year to 49.

The victim, identified as Lasmono, 45, died of severe injuries to his head and body after he crashed onto the balcony of the second floor of the 14-story building.

One of the witnesses who asked not to be named said that Lasmono, who was the head of the company's personnel division, took his own life possibly due to depression over his health.

"Lasmono suffered a chronic heart disease. Maybe he lost hope for a recovery," said the witness, an employee of the Ministry of Forestry and Plantations which is located in the same building.

"He was a quiet person. He reportedly had no conflict with his colleagues," he said.

Lasmono, a residence of Jatiasih, Bekasi, is survived by his wife, identified only as Lis, and four children.

Agustinus, one of Lasmono's relatives, said that he was surprised on hearing of the incident.

"I didn't expect him to do that," he said.

The body was sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for a postmortem examination. (ivy)