Fifth no-show for Tommy

JAKARTA: Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, the youngest son of former president Soeharto, failed for the fifth time to testify in the trial of Islamic boarding school leader Abdullah Sidiq Muin at the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday.

Earlier in the trial, the panel of judges had decided that Tommy as a primary witness would be forcefully taken to court.

However, the same panel of judges had allowed him another two weeks to show up, after state prosecutors said Tommy was ill and needed to rest.

"The letter from the Batu Penitentiary warden in Nusakambangan, Central Java, clearly stated that Tommy was ill and thus, unable to attend the trial," presiding judge Panusunan Harahap said.

Sidiq, the spiritual leader of former president Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid, is standing trial for allegedly extorting Rp 15 billion (US$1.76 million) from Tommy.

Defense lawyer Budi Santoso was disappointed with Tommy's no- show, saying that the trial "could not be managed by someone who was locked up in prison."

The judges adjourned the trial for Jan. 27. -- JP