Disastrous love affair amid crisis

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara (JP): A man, who found comfort in the arms of another woman to avoid his wife's complaints about the monetary crisis, suffered the ultimate punishment when his jealous spouse bit his penis.

Paleng Muhamad, 35, from Sikka district, was flat on his back in Santa Elisabet Lela Hospital here when relatives informed him that his wife, Mariam Majiah, 26, was found dead -- three days after the lovers' spat.

Sikka Police precinct chief Jimmy P. Sinaga said Saturday that Mariam was found dead on Feb. 20 in a 30-meter-deep ravine near her house in Paga village.

A preliminary investigation suggests she committed suicide, he said.

Paleng said the couple's feud flared when his wife, whom he said was preoccupied with the skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, discovered he was having an affair.

"She kept complaining about the prices and about foodstuffs disappearing from shops."

"In fact we had made peace after the bitter quarrel and the day passed peacefully until she managed to get into my sarong and do it." (yac)