Professor Dies Tracing Ombak In Gunungkidul, UGM Gives Last Respect

The final tribute ceremony to Professor of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Samekto Wibowo at Balairung UGM, Sleman, Sunday. (ANTARA/HO/UGM)

YOGYAKARTA - Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) paid their last respects to Professor of the Faculty of Medicine Prof. Samekto Wibowo who died after being dragged by waves at Pulang Swawal Beach, Tepus, Gunungkidul, Special Region of Yogyakarta (DIY), Saturday, September 24.

The final tribute to Prof. Samekto's body took place at Balairung UGM, Sleman, DIY, Sunday, September 25.

"The deceased is a role model and has a very high commitment to the development of science and progress of the faculty," said UGM Chancellor Prof Ova Emilia when giving a speech.

Ova said that while serving in UGM, Samekto, who served as Head of the Section/SMF of Faculty Sciences for the 2001-2009 period with various programs and breakthroughs, made some progress.

Samekto, who is also a neurologist, was instrumental in developing patient services with sleep disorders in 2009.

"Today, Gadjah Mada University is deeply saddened by the loss of one of its best people," said Ova Emilia.

After receiving the last tribute, Samekto's body was then dispatched to the family funeral in Pondok Muharrikun Najah, Ngawonggo Village, Ceper, Klaten, Central Java.

Previously, Samekto Wibowo died after being dragged by the waves at Pulang Sewal Beach, Tepus, Gunungkidul, DIY, Saturday.

The SAR Coordinator for Linmas Region II Baron Marjono explained that the victim and several of his colleagues took pictures around the bottom of the Sawal Beach cliff on Saturday, September 24, at around 11.00 WIB.

Officers, he said, had repeatedly appealed to Samekto to be sidelined, but not ignored.

Despite the appeal, according to Marjono, Prof. Samekto was hit by a big wave and dragged into the middle of the water.

Satlinmas officers who knew about the incident, he said, immediately evacuated the victims to the beach and then took them to the Tepus Health Center.

Prof. Samekto, he said, fainted and foamy mouth was thought to have been caused by too much water.

"However, the victim experienced cardiac arrest on the way to the Tepus Health Center. Subsequently, the body was taken to the morgue of the Wonosari Hospital," said Marjono.