Deceit report still under investigation

Deceit report still under investigation

JAKARTA (JP): Police are still investigating a report lodged
by a Singaporean businessman that his local partner has deceived
him in a deal to transport rice from Vietnam to Indonesia.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday
that the police questioned the Indonesian businessman, Ariffudin
Tangka, last week and found no evidence to charge him.

"However, the investigation will continue," Aritonang said.
"And, we'll close it only after we are certain there are no
indications of a crime here."

According to Aritonang, Singaporean businessman George Sten
reported to the Jakarta police early last month that Ariffudin
had failed to pay harbor handling charges worth US$529,569 (about
Rp 1.5 billion) to his company, Sea-Bliss Pte. Ltd.

Sten, his partner Michael Lwee and Ariffudin had been involved
in a business deal to deliver around 70,000 tons of rice for the
National Logistics Agency between 1995 and 1996, he said.

"A reckless handling of the shipping documents at the Belawan
port in North Sumatra capital of Medan resulted a delay in the
unloading, which meant Sea-Bliss had to pay $529,569 to the
harbor management," Aritonang said.

Sten billed the National Logistics Agency for the fee and the
latter agreed to pay it through Ariffudin, he said.

Sten then reported Ariffudin because the Indonesian never gave
him the money, the police spokesman said.

Aritonang also denied media reports that Ariffudin had been
arrested at his home in Ciganjur, South Jakarta, last Friday.

"Police have never arrested him as a suspect in this case," he
said.

Ariffudin, who also attended the meeting yesterday, denied all
the allegations made by Sten. "That's not true. I paid the money
to Sten's partner Michael Lwee in 1996. This was confirmed by
Lwee a few days ago."

"But I will sue Sten for having defamed my name and
reputation," he said. (cst)