Farmer dies three days after winning award

Farmer dies three days after winning award

JAKARTA (JP): A farmer from North Sumatra, recently honored by
President B.J. Habibie for his success in promoting the
agricultural intensification program, collapsed and died on
Monday at Gambir Railway Station, Central Jakarta.

Muhammad Syapei, 42, a resident of Lubuk Rotan village in
Perbaungan district, Deli Serdang regency, is believed to have
died from a heart attack.

The chief of the Deli Serdang agricultural office, Syafruddin
Nasution, said Syapei collapsed on arrival at about 7 a.m. after
spending his weekend in Bandung, West Java.

Syafruddin, who accompanied Syapei and other farmers during
their visit to Java, said he was scheduled to return by boat to
the North Sumatra capital of Medan on Monday afternoon.

"As soon as we arrived at the station, I left him to watch our
luggage while I went to the restroom.

"I still saw him smoking, but seconds later he slid down
slowly where he was standing."

The group immediately searched for medical assistance, but
could not find any at the station.

"We finally took him to a clinic at the Pertamina building
across the street. By the time we arrived there, the doctor
pronounced him dead," Syafruddin said at Cipto Mangunkusumo
General Hospital where an autopsy was performed.

Syapei was one of the 13 farmers honored nationally in the
1998 intensification program.

Awards, consisting of a trophy, agricultural equipment and a
saving accounts, were presented by Habibie in a special ceremony
at the State Palace on Thursday.

Syafruddin said Syapei never complained of illness during the
trip.

"He was so enthusiastic about this award. He was overjoyed to
be one of the winners," he said. (ivy)