TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - In an exclusive interview with Tempo on Monday, presidential advisory board (Wantimpres) coordinator Wiranto recalled the harrowing experience in his visit to Pandeglang, Banten, last year where he was stabbed by an assailant identified as Abu Rara.

During the Wantimpres members’ media visit today, he recalled the moment he felt his back was stabbed just as he stepped off his vehicle. “I felt something warm, then I fell and stood up again. That was the moment I saw my intestines [hanging out]. I automatically pushed them back in.”

As soon as the attack ended, Wiranto was immediately rushed to a nearby medical clinic but was transferred to a hospital in Pandeglang as the local clinic did not have the facilities to treat Wiranto’s wound.

He was then immediately taken to the emergency unit as soon as he arrived at the hospital but was once again faced with a hurdle as the hospital did not have surgeons. Wiranto was then transported to the Gatot Subroto Army Hospital (RSPAD) via helicopter in Jakarta.

They were faced with yet another obstacle as the helicopter struggled to land at the RSPAD and diverted its landing to a nearby section at the National Monument (Monas) area, but was once again unable to do so.

“It turned out there was a rally at Monas. We were diverted to the nearby Lapangan Banteng. Moreover, maybe because the pilot panicked the helicopter landed a bit rough,” said Wiranto today.

Wiranto told Tempo that throughout his helicopter journey, he tried his best to stay awake and not succumb to his urge to sleep. “Sometimes, you pass away when you close your eyes to sleep in that situation. I didn’t want to die under the hands of a terrorist,” he maintained.

Wiranto received intense medical treatment as he arrived at the RSPAD. Surgeons had to cut off a piece of his intestines to save the former coordinating minister. After regaining consciousness following the surgery, Wiranto said the stabbing had inflicted a trauma on him in his first three days of recovery.

“In the first three days, I was always reminded of the incident whenever I closed my eyes. But that only lasted for three days. After that I was transferred to the recovery room,” said Wiranto.

ANDITA RAHMA