Detectives assigned to locate fugitive Tommy

Detectives assigned to locate fugitive Tommy

JAKARTA (JP): In a move some say smacks of desperation, the
National Police established on Wednesday five special teams to
track down and arrest the fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra
before 2001.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf said each team
would be headed by a senior police detective, including National
Police director of general crimes Brig. Gen. Alex Bambang
Riatmodjo; National Police director of drug investigations Brig.
Gen. Timbul Silaen; East Java Police deputy chief Brig. Gen. Edi
Darnadi; and a lecturer at the Police Staff College, Sr. Supt.
Gorries Mere.

The head of each team will supervise five police detectives
specifically assigned to locate Tommy, the youngest son of former
president Soeharto and the most wanted man in the country.

"National Police chief (Gen. Surojo Bimantoro) has instructed
the teams to arrest Tommy before the year 2001," Saleh said at
National Police Headquarters.

However, he refused to provide details of the teams duties and
responsibilities, saying this information was confidential.

"We won't disclose any leads, otherwise Tommy will be able to
avoid arrest again. This is a silent operation.

"We just want to arrest Tommy and get this case over with.
That is the obligation of the police," Saleh said.

Tommy was found guilty of graft in a 1995 land exchange deal
which caused the state Rp 76.7 billion (US$8.07 million) in
losses. He was sentenced by the Supreme Court last September to
18 months at Cipinang Penitentiary in East Jakarta.

However, Tommy disappeared a day after President Abdurrahman
Wahid officially refused to grant his request for a pardon on
Nov. 2.

The police have come under fire for their failure to apprehend
one of the most recognizable men in the country.

During a hearing with House of Representatives Commission I
for political, security and foreign affairs last week,
Bimantoro said it was difficult to arrest Tommy because of his
enormous wealth, an abundance of loyal friends and the continued
influence of his father.

Bimantoro also blamed several parties, including Tommy's
lawyers, and certain legal procedures that prevented the police
from immediately arresting Tommy after his pardon was rejected by
the President.

The officer did say he was positive Tommy was still in the
country.

Police have searched 24 houses in Jakarta, 18 houses in Bogor,
11 houses in Yogyakarta and several other houses in Surakarta,
Central Java, trying to locate the billionaire fugitive, but all
to no avail. (jaw)