'Blue Energy' inventor hospitalized in Yogyakarta

Slamet Susanto ,  The Jakarta Post ,  Yogyakarta   |  Thu, 07/17/2008 10:10 AM  |  The Archipelago

Yogyakarta Police on Tuesday postponed questioning Djoko Suprapto, mastermind of the "Blue Energy" alternative fuel hoax, because of his deteriorating medical condition.

Officials at Jogja International Hospital confirmed Djoko was brought in on Tuesday, and said he was undergoing intensive procedures to treat his cardiovascular disorder and other ailments.

Yogyakarta Police said Djoko was taken to hospital after being ruled unfit to undergo questioning scheduled for Tuesday.

"This does not mean Djoko is free. The interrogation is just adjourned indefinitely. He will be interrogated after he has recovered," said Adj. Sr. Comr. Agung Yuda Wibawa, head of the special crimes unit.

Djoko was arrested following testimony from ten experts from several universities on the "Blue Energy" project, which the suspect maintains is a viable alternative fuel produced by separating the elements of water.

Muhammadiyah University in Yogyakarta sued Djoko for Rp 1.5 billion, after investing in two energy projects in Bantul and naming him project director.

Djoko, a high school dropout, also managed to present his "findings" to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the State Palace, and held an exhibition on the sidelines of the UN Climatic Change Conference in Bali last December. The energy was later revealed as a scam after a series of studies conducted by leading universities to examine Djoko's theories.

This is the second time police have postponed questioning him because of ill health. On Monday Djoko arrived at police headquarters, with the police prepared to ask him 42 questions.

"But he could not answer a single question, from about noon to 3.15 p.m.," Agung said.

He added Djoko's blood pressure shot up shortly after his arrival at the headquarters, and he was given time to rest and calm down.

"After three hours we asked him whether he was ready for questioning. But we finally decided to send him to Jogja International Hospital -- at his own expense, of course," Agung said.

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