Court waives petition for perjury against Tomy

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The panel of judges hearing the libel suit filed by tycoon Tomy Winata against several journalists from Tempo magazine rejected a defense petition calling for legal proceedings against Tomy for perjury.

"We have found no indications of false testimony by Tomy," presiding judge Suripto said after Monday's hearing at the Central Jakarta District Court.

Suripto declined to comment on alleged differences between Tomy's testimony and testimony from other witnesses in the case, as well as other items of evidence submitted by the defense along with the petition.

"That (the alleged differences in testimony) is the interpretation of the defense. If they think that, they can file a complaint with the police," he said.

Defendants Bambang Harymurti, who is Tempo magazine's chief editor, and reporters Ahmad Taufik and T. Iskandar Ali submitted the petition last week.

The petition was filed following testimony from communications expert Roy Suryo, who said the voice in a recording of an interview for the weekly's article "Is Tomy in Tenabang?" was a match for Tomy's voice.

Tempo reporter Bernarda Rurit had testified that she interviewed Tomy for the article, which appeared in the magazine's March 3-9, 2003, edition. Tomy testified that he was never interviewed for the article.

The article, which led to the libel suit, insinuated that the well-connected businessman was involved in a fire that razed the Tanah Abang textile market in February last year.

The trial was adjourned until June 7, at which time the court will hear from the defense.