RI businessman unconcerned by Riady issue<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The U.S. Republican Party's attack over James
\nRiady's donation to fund President Bill Clinton's campaign will
\nhave no impact on Indonesia's economy, because U.S. businessmen
\nwill view it as a pure political issue, a businessman said.<\/p>\n
"I don't think such a case will affect our exports to the
\nUnited States. We know that many businessmen there are supporters
\nof the Republican Party, but they won't blow the issue out of
\nproportion and involve the economy," Sofyan Wanandi, the chairman
\nof the Gemala Group, said yesterday.<\/p>\n
Speaking to reporters after attending a conference of the
\nAsian Region International Association of Cooperating
\nOrganizations on trade and investment, Sofyan also said Riady
\ndid not violate any regulations in the United States.<\/p>\n
"In my opinion, the Republican attack is only aimed at
\ndiscrediting President Clinton during the current presidential
\nelection campaign in that country," he said.<\/p>\n
"Due to that issue, the American media is now trying to expose
\nRiady. They are investigating how much his income is, his wealth
\nand where he earned the money he donated," he said.<\/p>\n
According to Sofyan, if the donation is not disclosed, it will
\nactually benefit the Indonesian government, because it will
\nstrengthen the country's lobbying position with the White House.
\n"But now, because it has become a national issue in the United
\nStates, such a donation has caused a lot of trouble," he said.<\/p>\n
He admitted that Riady has a close relationship with President
\nClinton.<\/p>\n
He said two years ago he, together with Coordinating Minister
\nfor Production and Distribution Hartarto, made a visit to the
\nUnited States to promote investment opportunities in Indonesia.<\/p>\n
"During the U.S. visit, James Riady played an important role
\nin lobbying the White House," he said.<\/p>\n
But he said with the donation issue, the Indonesian government
\nshould avoid getting involved and leave it only to the people
\nconcerned.<\/p>\n
"I think the general public here should also stay out of this
\nissue and not try to worsen an already bad situation.<\/p>\n
"Poor Riady. Because of this issue, he has to hide from all of
\nyou," he said, laughing and pointing at all the reporters who
\nflocked around him.<\/p>\n
Father<\/p>\n
Mochtar Riady, James' father, was scheduled to chair the
\nafternoon session of yesterday's conference. He did not show up,
\nhowever.<\/p>\n
Asked why Riady did not provide an explanation on the issue,
\nhe said: "Now is not the right time for him to give any
\nexplanations. It's too risky for him and also might affect
\nClinton's chance of winning the upcoming presidential election
\nnext month," he said.<\/p>\n
"After the election, perhaps he will be willing to explain
\nit," he said.<\/p>\n
Noted economist Mohammad Sadli, who is also the chairman of
\nthe Indonesia Forum Foundation, shared Sofyan's view. "It will
\nnot affect us economically. But there is a positive side of the
\ncase: Indonesia is getting more exposure in the American media,
\nand more people will know about this country," he said.<\/p>\n
The American media disclosed recently that Indonesian
\nbillionaire James Riady of the Lippo Group donated US$425,000 to
\nthe Democratic Party's campaign fund.<\/p>\n
U.S. House of Representatives speaker Newt Gingrich predicted
\nthat congressional and criminal investigations would be launched
\ninto the campaign donation.<\/p>\n
"I think it's unavoidable that there will be congressional
\ninvestigations on the donation," he told CBS television. (13)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ri-businessman-unconcerned-by-riady-issue-1447893297",
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"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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