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Purbalingga holds ‘Chased by Sumanto the cannibal’ race to attract tourists
The race event was such a success that similar events will be held in other tourist attractions in Purbalingga, also featuring Sumanto.
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Sumanto (third from left), a former cannibal, now participates in a Purbalingga tourism activity. (Purbalingga regency administration public relations/File)
T
he Purbalingga regency tourism office in Central Java held a race on Sunday, Oct. 7, in which participants were "chased" by former cannibal, Sumanto.
Purbalingga tourism office staff member, Prayitno, told The Jakarta Post on Friday, “The idea started as a joke among us, but then it was approved by the regent and we held a trial at a new tourist attraction: Klawing Riverside.”
According to Prayitno, the race event was such a success that similar events will be held at other tourist attractions in Purbalingga, also featuring Sumanto. Winners of the race were awarded local souvenirs such as Klawing rock carvings and a variety of local produce.
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Sumanto, who is a Pelumutan village resident, made the news back in 2003 when he was charged with cannibalism. His interest in learning black magic saw him steal cadavers and consume the flesh to increase his supernatural powers.
Sumanto was sentenced to five years imprisonment, but he was released in 2006 under remission. Experts believed Sumanto was mentally disturbed. Following his release, Sumanto was rehabilitated at the An-Nur rehabilitation house in Karanganyar, Purbalingga. (asw)
