Deputy governor hit by car

PADANG, West Sumatra: Deputy Governor Zainal Bakar and his two adjutants were hit by a Chevrolet Luv pickup while jogging at the traffic circle of Jl. Khatib Sulaiman here on Friday morning.

Zainal was admitted to Yos Soedarso Hospital with head injuries.

The condition of his adjutants, Kamal Rajo and Yohanes, was not known.

Speaking from his hospital bed, Zainal said he hoped to be released on Saturday.

"But it'll totally depend on the doctor's decision," he said.

Padang Police chief Lt. Col. Suhardi Sigit said the incident "has nothing to do with politics but was a pure accident".

According to the preliminary police investigation, the accident occurred after the driver of the pickup, Yohanes Malik, 57, hit a political party's flagpole.

"The flagpole fell on the front windshield, leaving the driver unable to control the wheel anymore and sideswiping the West Sumatran deputy governor and his two adjutants," Sigit said.

Malik, who also suffered head injuries, visited the deputy governor in the afternoon.

"I've met him, and he is apparently an old friend of mine from the Pasaman area," Zainal said. (28)