By Elena Chong

IN the first case of its kind, two Indonesians admitted in court on Friday to selling their kidneys to two persons for substantial sums of money.

One of the intended recipients was retail company CK Tang's executive chairman Tang Wee Sung, 56, who is suffering from kidney disease.

His potential donor, Sulaiman Damanik, 26, was found out before the transplant could be carried out.

The other Indonesian, Toni, 27, underwent a successful operation in March and transplanted his kidney to a woman named Juliana Soh.

On his return to Medan, 186 million rupiah (S$29,390) was transferred to his bank account.

Both men pleaded guilty in a district court to charges under the Human Organ Transplant Act and Oaths and Declarations Act. Sentencing is expected next Wednesday.

Sulaiman had arranged with several people earlier this month to sell his kidney to Mr Tang in return for about 150 million rupiah (about S$23,700).

On June 17, he lied that there was no financial gain in the kidney living donor surgical operation. He also lied that the brother-in-law of Mr Tang's niece was married to his aunt.

Toni's role was to act as a liaison between Sulaiman and Mr Tang.

He flew here on May 29 and was put up in an apartment at Lucky Plaza.

Sulaiman gave false information to the committee panel who approved the application for a live kidney transplant.

Read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.

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