Analyst grilled over defamation report

JAKARTA: Noted capital market analyst Lin Che Wei was questioned on Wednesday by police investigators over a defamation report filed by Bank Lippo.

Che Wei told reporters that police asked several questions, including about an article suggesting manipulation by Bank Lippo's management to allow the former owner to regain control of the bank at a huge discount.

"My article did not mention the names of certain figures. I did not defame anyone," he said.

Lippo's Rudi T. Bachrie filed a suit against Lin Che Wei last month after the latter wrote two articles highlighting maneuvers by the bank's management aimed at manipulating the bank's share price so that its owners could buy it back at a much cheaper price.

Che Wei said he could prove the systematic efforts by Bank Lippo's management to pave the way for the former owner, the Riady family, to buy the bank.

The Central Jakarta District Court is currently hearing Lippo's civil lawsuit against Che Wei over the same case. The trial is expected to resume on Thursday. --JP