Composer tried for cheating

JAKARTA (JP): A composer and a businesswoman were tried in the Central Jakarta District Court Wednesday for allegedly embezzling more than Rp 200 million.

Composer James Freddy Sundah and businesswoman Loeloe Pudjiastuti S., director and commissioner of PT Jelang Fajar Sejahtera respectively, were charged with swindling Rp 240 million (US$99,502) from film star Amatul Firdhausya Razak (Firdha Razak) and Fajar Wiryono.

Prosecutor Nurlisma said the defendants planned to use the money to finance a musical TV show called Sekitar Musik (Around Music). James was to be the project chief.

They claimed the project was planned to be broadcasted in 12 episodes on the private TV station SCTV from March 1995, Nurlisma said.

James persuaded Firdha and Fajar to finance the project promising if it was broadcasted they would get 60 percent of the profit, he said.

As director Loeloe said he would submit a weekly-report on the project's progress, Nurlisma said.

If the project failed to be broadcast 60 percent of the capital was to be returned, he said.

But until June 1995 Firdha and Fajar had nothing about the project.

Nurlisma said James promised to return the money to Firdha and Fajar but paid Firdha with three bad checks signed by Loeloe.

Loeloe promised to return the 60 percent using bank credit but this never happened.

Nurlisma said the program had never been listed with SCTV or any other station. (05)