Suwondo fails to appear in court
JAKARTA (JP): The prime suspect in the multi-billion rupiah State Logistics Agency (Bulog) scandal, Alip Agung Suwondo, who was scheduled to stand trial on Thursday, failed to appear in court on grounds of ill health.
Suwondo's lawyer Denny Azani Latief claimed that his client was now being treated at the police's Dr. Sukanto Hospital in Kramat Jati, North Jakarta for chronic gastritis.
"He is now in bed, is in a weak condition and is receiving intravenous feeding and oxygen," Denny told the North Jakarta District Court.
The court rescheduled the trial to next Thursday and ordered the prosecutors to monitor the defendant's health and to ensure his appearance at the hearing.
Suwondo, alias An Peng Sui, the masseur of President Abdurrahman Wahid, is alleged to have defrauded Bulog of Rp 35 billion, which was said to have been withdrawn from the Bulog employees' foundation, Yanatera, at the request of President Abdurrahman.
The police found that Suwondo had received four checks from former Bulog deputy chief Sapuan during January of last year. The checks were issued by the private Bank Bukopin.
Sapuan is now facing trial and the prosecutors will read out the indictment on Feb. 6.
On Thursday, Suwondo's lawyers presented a certificate signed by medical practitioner Paring Sunarto stating that Suwondo was sick and should rest starting on Jan. 30.
Denny said that Suwondo had been receiving medical treatment from Dec. 3, 2000 until Jan. 5 while detained in the Cipinang penitentiary and was later treated at home while under house arrest.
"The doctors say that Suwondo is suffering from chronic gastritis which means problems with his heart and lungs. The illness is caused by repeated bouts of depression and, doctors say, he could have a stroke because of it," Denny told journalists after the hearing.
According to the Webster's Medical Dictionary, gastritis is an inflammation especially of the mucous membrane of the stomach.
Gastroenterologist from the state-run Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital Dharmika Djajaningrat told The Jakarta Post that there should be a complete medical analysis to investigate the illness.
"Stress can cause stomach diseases, but not directly. Chronic gastritis is only caused by viruses so there should be an endoscopic analysis to examine the stomach," he added.
Prosecutor Nulis Sembiring told the court that he had yet to move Suwondo to the Salemba detention center as ordered by the judges on Jan. 26 because the defendant still "looked sick to me".
"The last time I checked on Suwondo two days ago, he was still sick at home," he added.
Sowondo faces a possible four years in jail if the court finds him guilty. (bby)