Budiman's parents meet Bintang at hospital

JAKARTA (JP): Parents of the Democratic People's Party (PRD) chairman, Budiman Sudjatmiko, met with the Indonesian Democratic Union Party's chairman, Sri Bintang Pamungkas, in a "reunion" at Pertamina Hospital in South Jakarta on Saturday.

Budiman's parents, Wartono Karyo Utomo and Sri Sulastri, went to visit Ernalia, Sri Bintang's wife, who was admitted to the hospital after a traffic accident on Thursday evening.

"We have known each other since Sri Bintang and Budiman were both jailed at the Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta," Wartono told The Jakarta Post in a room on the hospital's sixth floor, where Ernalia, 48, is being treated for a right-leg fracture.

Sri Bintang, who was convicted of insulting former president Soeharto during a lecture at a German University in 1996, stayed at F Block of the Cipinang penitentiary, next to Budiman's E Block.

Sri Bintang was released after being granted amnesty by President B.J. Habibie's in May 1998, while Budiman continued serving his 13-year sentence after rejecting the same amnesty from the President. Budiman was convicted for masterminding a riot in 1996.

Wartono, who lives in Bogor, said he and his wife visit Budiman twice a week.

"Our frequent visits to Cipinang have made us close with Sri Bintang," said Wartono, who is chairman of PRD's Bogor chapter.

Sri Bintang, a member of the General Elections Commission, said he and his wife Ernalia, together with a female maid, Marni, were driving along the Jagorawi toll road in a Kijang van on their way to Bandung.

Sri Bintang, who was driving, said thick fumes suddenly blocked his view of the road. The van crashed into a truck and was dragged for a few meters.

"Later, I was informed by the police that the thick fumes came from the truck's muffler," he told the Post at the hospital on Saturday.

Sri Bintang slightly injured his left knee, while his wife received severe injuries to her chest and right leg. Marni suffered a slight concussion.

The three were rushed to Bogor's Red Cross Hospital but were later admitted to the Pertamina Hospital in Jakarta for thorough examinations.

After having minor surgery, Sri Bintang was released on Friday, along with Marni, but Ernalia must stay at the hospital for a few days following surgery on her right leg on Friday. (asa)