Four die of malnutrition

SURABAYA: Four elderly villagers of Ponorogo regency have died of malnutrition, the East Java governor announced on Tuesday.

Imam Utomo was referring to residents of Tricing Desa Dayakan hamlet in Badengan district. Each aged at least 60, they were Sukinem, Saidi, Sombo and Joyo. Another malnutrition sufferer, Marimin, is hospitalized.

"Besides dying of old age... they showed indications of malnutrition," the governor was quoted by Antara as saying.

The Tricing hamlet is arid and its population of 27 families is being monitored by local health officials. Preliminary findings show malnutrition caused by unvarying consumption of processed cassava.

"The Ponorogo regency has contributed foodstuffs and medicine, and so has the provincial administration," Imam added.

He warned subordinates against covering up similar reports.