Nurul Hidayati, Jakarta - The hunger strike by Budiman Sudjatmiko and his friends has finally ended. On the advice of the doctor who is treating them, the chairperson of the People's Democratic Party (PRD) and his other colleges, ended their action on Tuesday, April 13.

Budiman, Pranowo and Kurniawan are still being treated at the Kramatjati Police Hospital in East Jakarta. They will [continue] to be treated for the next 2-3 days. After that they will be returned to the Cipinang Prison.

Meanwhile the other four who were on a hunger strike at Cipinang Prison have also stopped their action.

Although they are still very weak, Budiman has received a number of journalists for interviews. From the interviews [it was clear that] Budiman could still state his arguments. He protested the statement by the Minister of Justice, Muladi, who likened a hunger strike with suicide. Muladi's statement was made to journalists last Monday at the national Parliament.

"We did not go on a hunger strike to kill ourselves. This action was aimed to ensure that the elections would be free and fair", explained Budiman. Aside from that, with this action it was hoped that the government would soon release the PRD activists who are still in jail. The hunger strike began on Tuesday, April 6.

[Translated by James Balowski]