Minister Alatas undergoes quadruple bypass operations

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Foreign Affairs Ali Alatas had four bypass operations in Melbourne yesterday, according to Indonesian Ambassador to Australia Sabam Siagian.

The three-hour operation at the Epworth Hospital in late afternoon was performed by chief surgeon Prof. Brian Buxton, Sabam told The Jakarta Post by phone.

After the surgery, Buxton comforted Mrs. Yunisa Alatas, the minister's wife, saying that "everything has gone well," Sabam said.

Alatas flew to Melbourne from Jakarta yesterday morning at the suggestion of doctors at the private hospital Medistra, where he had been treated since he had a mild heart attack on May 25.

Buxton estimated that Alatas would have to stay in Melbourne for approximately seven days, according to Sabam.

Two doctors from Medistra also witnessed the surgery. They were Nurhay Abdurahman and Hanafi Trisnohadi.

Sabam said he would be in Melbourne throughout Alatas' stay. (emb)