Synchronized searches for Tommy<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The prolonged search for fugitive Hutomo "Tommy"
\nMandala Putra has taken a new turn with National Police beginning
\na synchronized search operation, combing locations across the
\ncountry suspected as refuges of former president Soeharto's son.<\/p>\n
"The operation started on Wednesday and continues today. We
\nfound some clues, but we cannot reveal them now," National Police
\nspokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf told the press on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Saleh added that the synchronized hunt for Tommy was also
\naimed at demonstrating the police are serious in their efforts to
\ncapture the businessman, who was sentenced to 18 months in jail
\nfor corruption in September last year.<\/p>\n
Saleh admitted that the police were embarrassed for failing to
\narrest Tommy, who has been on the run since his request for a
\npresidential pardon was denied in early November.<\/p>\n
City police have searched at least 58 locations in an attempt
\nto find Tommy, including 18 sites around Jl. Cendana in the plush
\narea of Menteng, Central Jakarta, where Soeharto and his family
\nlive.<\/p>\n
The police have also searched the houses of former president
\nSoeharto and his children, including Siti Hardijanti "Tutut"
\nRukmana, Sigit Harjojudanto, Siti Hutami "Mamiek" Endang
\nAdiningsih and Tommy.<\/p>\n
During their investigations Police used a geo-radar device to
\nscan the compounds of the infamous family's homes, which are
\nrumored to have bunkers being used as a hiding place by Tommy. To
\ndate the searches have proved fruitless.<\/p>\n
Saleh said that the police are analyzing whether or not
\nbunkers exist in the Cendana area.<\/p>\n
In Surakarta, Central Java, police also checked several
\nhouses, including a house of former Chief of the Indonesian
\nMilitary (TNI) Gen. (ret.) Wiranto and a house of chief of the
\nPemuda Pancasila youth organization Yapto Soerjosoemarno.<\/p>\n
A house belonging to Tommy's wife Ardhia Premasti Regita
\n"Tata" Cahyani in the same city was also searched.<\/p>\n
East Java Police reportedly conducted similar searching on
\nWednesday but also failed to expose the fugitive.<\/p>\n
President Abdurrahman Wahid has previously said that police
\narrested Tommy in an Islamic boarding school in the province but
\nthe fugitive managed to escape.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the intensified search, one of the Soeharto
\nfamily's lawyers, Denny Kailimang, said the family was upset over
\nthe matter.<\/p>\n
"They are upset, but they can do nothing, and instead are
\nallowing police to conduct the searches," Denny told reporters at
\nNational Police headquarters.<\/p>\n
"One of the family members asked what the police will do next.
\nIt's an expression of dejection, due to the frustrating search."<\/p>\n
He claims that the police's repeated searches, some of them at
\nthe same locations, lacked legal basis, but were continued just
\nto satisfy the public. (jun)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/synchronized-searches-for-tommy-1447893297",
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