Compensation for survivor

BANDA ACEH, Aceh: Syahril bin Jamili, a 22-year-old survivor of the Gurita ferry accident in Jan. 1996, said he has yet to receive compensation money from state-owned insurance company PT Jasaraharja.

Antara quoted Syahril as saying his medical bill amounted to Rp 200,000 (approximately US$84.6). Neither the insurance company nor PT ASDP, the state-owned shipping company which operated the ferry, had compensated him for the mishap.

Insurance company spokesman, Supriadi, confirmed the report, but said the reason the company refused to pay was because Syahril had faked his medical bills.

Syahril was among 39 survivors in the accident that killed 55 people, 283 others are still missing.

Six people allegedly responsible for the Gurita ferry accident are currently standing trial.

The 28.8-meter-long and 7.82-meter-wide ferry sank off the coast of Aceh on Jan. 19 with 377 people on board and 78,207 tons of cargo. It was traveling from the Malahayati port in Banda Aceh to Balohan, Sabang. (swe)