Budiman's parents meet Bintang at hospital

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)