Guthrie denies

We are representing Kumpulan Guthrie Berhad in the legal proceedings that have been taken against our client by PT Adhiyasa Saranamas.

On Oct. 11, 2001 an article about these proceedings appeared in The Jakarta Post under the heading Court insists on hearing Guthrie contract dispute. The article stated that "trial documents which were made available to the Post, showed that the two companies had reached an agreement, under which Guthrie would have to pay an agreed amount of money as a consultancy fee to Adhiyasa".

Our client denies that there is or was any such agreement and takes exception to your assertion. May we respectfully suggest that it is for the court and not The Jakarta Post or its journalists to adjudicate upon the legal implications of documents submitted in evidence.

We would add that this is not the first time we have had to write to you in connection with assertions made in The Jakarta Post about these legal proceedings. In an article published in the Post on Aug. 16, 2001 it was incorrectly stated that the court had granted a request by Adhiyasa to sequester some of our client's assets. No such order had been granted by the court, nor has any such order since been granted.

It is regrettable that your coverage of these legal proceedings has fallen short of the normally high standards of accuracy and impartiality we have come to expect from The Jakarta Post

KARTINI MULJADI

Senior Partner