Fake health cards sold

BENGKULU, Bengkulu: Two local officials of the South Muko-Muko subdistrict in North Bengkulu have reportedly sold thousands of health cards, instead of distributing them free to residents.

Antara reported that the officials, identified only as HR and AM, intimidated thousands of residents into buying the cards for Rp 3,000 (approximately US 1.36) each. The officials threatened that if the residents refused, they would be "investigated" and implicated as having ties with the 1965 aborted coup of the now banned Indonesian Communist Party.

President Soeharto launched the health scheme last year to provide people in the lowest income bracket with free medical services.

The residents said in their complaint to the local prosecutor's office that the cards they bought from the two officials were counterfeit. The village health centers (Puskesmas) refused to accept the cards or attend to their medical needs.

Head of the Bengkulu office of the Ministry of Health Dr. Bachtiar Karatu also promised to look into the matter. (swe)