Foundation slams dumping of bodies

JAKARTA (JP): Sumber Asih Foundation board members voiced regret yesterday over their indirect role in the dumping of dozens of aborted babies and fetuses in its school yard in Central Jakarta.

The foundation's chairperson, M. Tengker Rombot, also condemned two of the foundation's employees, Daniel and Sumarjono, who were allegedly involved in the burying of the bodies in the school's compound.

"They should both be sent to jail and be given the heaviest punishment for their roles," said Tengker after a mass prayer in the foundation's chapel for the souls of the babies and fetuses.

City police have so far unearthed dozens of babies' bones and decomposing fetuses from the back yard of the school for disabled children.

The preliminary police investigation revealed that Daniel and Sumarjono had allegedly taken part in burying the bodies, which were delivered by Kampret, another suspect in the inquiry, from two clinics in North Jakarta.

Kampret told police that he had asked Daniel for permission to use the school ground as an alternative dumping site for the bodies and later asked Sumarjo to help dig the holes.

According to Tengker, the foundation had absolutely nothing to do with the burials.

"Apparently both Daniel and Sumarjo were burying the babies and fetuses after school hours," she said.

Tengker emotionally said that the two employees, who are still being questioned by the police with 15 other suspects, would be dismissed soon.

She explained that Daniel was an administrative employee and had been working there for about seven years, while Sumarjono, the school's gardener, had been employed for almost two years.

"It's a tragic case, since we're here trying to give hope to these disabled children so that they can live useful lives, they (Daniel and Sumarjo) threw away those normal babies," Tengker said.

She said that some of the students at the school had also been dumped by their parents.

The school grounds, Tengker said, was not supposed to be used for such disgraceful acts.

"The teachers and other staff here are horrified by the burials," she said. (04)