Dire consequences

From Bisnis Indonesia

Allow me to share my painful sorrow as a result of the May 14 tragedy, which is still very much alive in my memory.

One of my friends, a young woman who was going to be married this year, was seriously injured on that fateful day.

At the time, a huge crowd had gathered in front of the ruko (shop-house) where she lived. The crowd was shouting and threatening to torch the premises. My friend and a number of young women, all Chinese-Indonesian employees, without thinking any further jumped from the fourth level to the ground without the help of any equipment.

Today my friend is still in hospital with utterly serious injuries. She has lost 70 percent of her teeth and torn her jawbone. She will have to undergo an operation. She will have to wear false teeth all her life, i.e. if the operation is successful. The nerves around her crotch are severed. Her coordination to stand up and to move is extremely weak.

I can only pray to God in these trying times.

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