Injured protesters flee from hospital in fear

JAKARTA (JP): Fearing being visited and taken away by security authorities, at least four patients suffering injuries sustained in a violent rally in Semanggi cloverleaf on Thursday and Friday have fled Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, hospital employees said on Sunday.

F. Ali, head of Irna A ward of the hospital, said three wounded patients under his supervision -- identified only as Asep, Priyo and Firdaus -- left the hospital on Saturday night.

"They were afraid they'd be taken to the (Sukanto) Police Hospital in Kramatjati (East Jakarta)," Ali said.

A nurse in Irna B ward of the hospital said her patient, identified as Sukamto, who suffered a head injury, left for the same reason.

Ali said rumors were circulating around the hospital, claiming that patients wounded during the two-day clashes between protesters and security personnel would be moved to the police hospital.

According to Ali, the three patients who suffered shot wounds in the abdomen said they had received information that they would be moved to the police hospital and questioned.

He said Asep, a parking attendant, sneaked out of the hospital, while Priyo and Firdaus, whose full identities remain unknown, were forcibly taken from the hospital by relatives a few hours later.

"We could not force them to stay. They should have remained in hospital until next week," Ali said.

He said the patients had not given their full addresses when registering at the hospital, but only mentioned what area they lived in.

"Actually, under such circumstances, we never force patients to pay their hospital bills," Ali said.

According to the nurse, who asked not to be named, her patient was taken away by friends.

"They took him out of this hospital last night (Saturday evening)," the nurse said.

As many as 30 patients of the Sept. 23 and Sept. 24 violence were admitted to the general hospital from Thursday to Saturday.

As of Sunday, at least six patients were still being treated at the hospital.

Jamadi, a 14-year-old street singer, is being treated in the intensive care unit for a shot wound to the chest.

Jamadi, a member of the Union of the Nation's Children (IGAB), was shot on Jl. Sudirman on Friday night, IGAB's coordinator Sugeng said.

"The victim's left lung should be surgically removed because it has been damaged by a bullet," Sugeng said.

Jamadi's father, Basri, said he would sue the government and ask for compensation.

"At the time being, I only pray for my son's recovery," he said.

He said Jamadi's Rp 900,000 (US$112.50) hospital and medicine bill was paid by IGAB volunteers.

Another patient, Ikhsan, who was also shot in the chest, is also considering suing the government after he recovers.

The employee of a restaurant was shot on Jl. Sudirman on Friday night after helping students distribute meals to other protesters.

"I was just going home from my workplace when I saw students distributing meals and so I joined them. I was shot after that," he said.

Other patients being treated at the hospital are Suratman, a soft drink seller who suffered a head injury, Mustofa and Tejo, who both suffered shot wounds. (jun)