'Program good, but shouldn't include torture'

JAKARTA (JP): Minister of Education and Culture Wardiman Djojonegoro told reporters yesterday that the program known as Higher Education Orientation -- a special orientation program for freshmen students -- is good but must be reported to the police if elements of torture are involved.

Wardiman was giving his opinion on whether the program was still considered necessary after the death of a student following the program at the University of Indonesia on Thursday.

Amirullah, 19, a student of the university's School of Physics died on the second day of the program.

Amirullah's death sparks criticism from City Councilors, who demanded that the program be re-evaluated or abolished entirely.

Saud Rahman, of the United Development Party, said the program was no longer viable and should be substituted with a refresher course, while Lukman Mokoginta, of the Indonesian Democratic Party, said the contents of the program should be re-evaluated.

"The program is still needed for new students to become familiar with their campus, but it would be better if it could be made more academic, such as through introduction courses on the university's organizations," Lukman said, reported Suara Pembaruan.

Wardiman said the program is good as long as the rules are maintained, but since the organizing committee is changed every year, unexpected incidents sometimes occur.

The committee is under the supervision of the university's director, Wardiman said.

Regarding the Amirullah case, Wardiman said he had not received a report on the matter, but whether Amirullah's death was caused by the program should be investigated.

According to an official from the University of Indonesia, Umar Mansur, Amirullah's death was caused by an illness, which he had suffered from for years.

Amirullah reportedly died because he suffered from a lack of potassium, Umar Mansur said, quoting information received from the Pertamina hospital, where the victim was treated.

Amirullah's father, M. Abduh, denied the assertion, saying that his son suffered no illness except for a case of sinusitis.

Pertamina hospital surgeon, Aji Prayitno, who treated Amirullah, was not available for comment, but the hospital's bureau of general affairs chief, Syahrir Mohamad, confirmed that the victim was in a physically weak condition when he was brought to the hospital.

"Due to his condition, the hospital decided to hospitalize him. We also took a sample of his blood for testing, but he died before the results were ready," Syahrir told The Jakarta Post, adding that the hospital was keeping the results.

Deaths and serious mishaps during orientation programs have been reported from a number of campuses in the past, the most recent of which occurred in February, at the Tarumanegara private university in Jakarta. (01/05)