REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- Former acting medical service manager of Medika Permata Hijau, doctor Alia testified in the hearing of alleged obstruction of justice case for suspect doctor Bimanesh Sutarjo in Corruption Court on Monday (March 26). She admitted that Bimanesh contacted her prior to his patient's arrival, namely Setya Novanto (Setnov).
"I got a call from doctor Bimanesh at around 14:00 pm. He said a patient will be admitted. He said he was with Mr. Setya Novanto's lawyer. He then turned on speaker phone and I spoke with the lawyer, Mr. Fredrich. I was asked by Mr. Fredrich to prepare VIP room and one additional room for the family," Alia said.
According to Alia, Fredrich also asked her to prepare senior nurses in Novanto's room. Bimanesh then asked Alia to report to director of Media Permata Hijau Hospital.
Alia discussed the request with her associates. She explained Novanto has legal issues with Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK). "Doctor Bima said the admittance of Novanto has nothing to do with legal issues and all should be processed in accordance with the procedure," Alia said.
Alia passed on the request to doctor Michael Chia Cahaya who was duty physician at the ER. She informed that a patient of doctor Bimanesh, namely Setya Novanto, to be admitted with diagnosis of severe hypertension.
"Doctor Michael responded jokingly, what if he was not sick?" Alia said.
Alia then prepared VIP room number 323 for Setya Novanto. It was the best one in the hospital.
"Before I performed Maghrib prayer, doctor Michael called and said that Setya Novanto's lawyer came to him and asked him to gave diagnosis of accident. Doctor Michael refused the request and decided to leave the ER." she said.
Alia responded Michael's protest by asking him to perform physical examination to Setya Novanto. The result would determine whether Novanto had to be admitted or not.
Alia said Bimanesh called her again following Michael's protest. "I said that doctor Michael was upset and did not want to serve. Bimanesh said, "I will handle it". After that, I performed Maghrib prayer and went home," Alia that has quit her job explained.
Bimanesh along with Fredrich Yunadi, former Setya Novanto's lawyer, had allegedly conspired to manipulate Setya's medical records. They made arrangement for Setya to be hospitalized following a minor car accident in November 2017 in order for Setya to miss KPK summon in a high profile e-ID card graft case.
In Fredrich's indictment, Bimanesh was mentioned to have prepared inpatient reference letter for Novanto by using a form of Emergency Department's new patient. Whereas, he was not an Emergency doctor.
In the inpatient reference letter, Bimanesh wrote the diagnosis were hypertension, vertigo and diabetes mellitus. He also made a physician's diary which, which is a record of preliminary examination of the patient. However, he never examined Novanto and also no confirmation received from the doctor who previously treated Novanto at Premier Jatinegara hospital.
Bimanesh's attorney, Wirawan Adnan denied his client has deliberately obstructed the investigation of Setya Novanto as suspect in e-ID card graft case. However, he admitted the internist has taken the wrong procedure to get Novanto hospitalized in Medika Permata Hijau hospital.
"Our client admitted to have made procedural mistake or probably violate medical discipline," Wirawan stated after the hearing at Corruption Court, Central Jakarta, on Thursday (March 8).
According to Wirawan, Bimanesh should obtain a referral letter from Emergency Department to submit Novanto as inpatient. Bimanesh admitted he did not follow the procedure when treating Novanto. "He never met dr. Michael at the Emergency Room," he said.
Bimanesh and Fredrich were named suspect in an alleged obstruction of justice case on January 10. Bimanesh was detained since January 12 in the State Class First Detention Center East Jakarta KPK branch located in Pomdam Jaya Guntur.
Bimanesh and Fredrich are suspected violated Article 21 No. 31/1999 as amended by Law No. 20/2001 on Eradication of Corruption. Also they violated Article 55 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Code.