Dr. Budiman needs special attention, a doctor warn

JAKARTA (JP): A psychologist spent long hours with abortion suspect Dr. Budiman to help restore his "will to live" after he allegedly attempted suicide at Jakarta Police Headquarters.

Budiman was moved to Kramat Jati Police Hospital in East Jakarta yesterday afternoon, after being taken to Mintohardjo Navy Hospital in Central Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon suffering from severe blood loss from slashed wrists.

Police said Budiman attempted suicide during a questioning session at police headquarters.

Budiman is one of 14 people arrested on suspicion of being involved in illegal abortions.

A doctor at the Navy hospital warned police yesterday to anticipate the possibility of Budiman making another suicide attempt.

"A person who fails one suicide attempt might very soon try again."

He said that investigating police should take special care of Budiman because of his depression.

"One doctor had been assigned especially to encourage him," the doctor, who asked for anonymity, said.

But he questioned the police's decision to let Budiman's wife and children visit him yesterday. "It might just worsen his depression."

Budiman, 50, an obstetric and gynecological doctor, was said to be in better physical condition yesterday after surgery on Wednesday afternoon which lasted one hour.

Improved

The head of the Navy hospital, Col. W. Setiawan, said yesterday that Budiman's physical condition had improved but his mental condition "still needs a lot of improvement".

Budiman was treated by a team of health professionals consisting of Setiawan, another surgeon, an intern, a psychologist and an anesthetist.

Setiawan said police might have to wait "quite a long time" before Budiman was able to help them with their investigation.

"Psychically, he may start to regain strength in 10 days as the wounds gradually heal.

"But I can't say this for his mental condition. In this case, the improvement will very much rely on the patient himself. It takes longer for a person to recover from depression than from physical weakness," he said.

Detective Maj. Benny Mamoto, who escorted Budiman to Kramat Jati yesterday, said his office also wanted Budiman to recover.

"At the moment, we'll focus more on the suspect's recovery and later proceed with our questioning of him," Benny said.

A police source said that Budiman, who was a major and served in the Armed Forces for 10 years, lives in Pamulang Permai housing estate in Tangerang, West Java, with his wife and children.

A former police general, Maj. Gen. Koesparmono Irsan, said yesterday that Budiman's apparent suicide attempt had not improved his position as a suspect in the police investigation.

Koesparmono, who is now a member of the National Commission on Human Rights, was asked to comment on the alleged attempt.

Police have said that they suspect Budiman provided illegal abortions at the Fajar Pengharapan and Amalia clinics in Central Jakarta.

The chief of Jakarta Police Detectives, Col. Gories Mere, said Wednesday that his office expected to start questioning several women yesterday who had allegedly had abortions at the two clinics.

He said the names of the woman were obtained from confiscated clinic admission books.

However, detectives could not confirm yesterday that they had summoned or questioned any of the women. (aan/cst)