Indonesia checks legal means for Sofjan's return

Indonesia checks legal means for Sofjan's return

JAKARTA (JP): Acting Attorney General Ismudjoko said on
Wednesday his office would use all proper means to ensure the
return of businessman Sofjan Wanandi from his overseas medical
treatment to be questioned on an alleged fraud case.

Ismudjoko acknowledged he had received a report from Sofjan's
lawyer on Sofjan's condition, but also pointed out he had read
different versions on his condition from press reports.

"We have summoned him in a proper manner, but he has never
shown up; he is reportedly sick, but there are rumors saying he
is not," the attorney general said before attending a Cabinet
meeting at Bina Graha presidential office.

National Police chief Gen. Roesmanhadi said the police had
recently sent a letter to Interpol asking its help in
repatriating Sofjan, who was described as a fugitive.

Sofjan, head of Gemala Group, denied on Tuesday he was
involved in an alleged defrauding of state banks of up to Rp 1
trillion (US$149 million).

National Police detective chief Maj. Gen. Da'i Bachtiar said
police have done their part to chase Sofjan abroad and are only
waiting for the completion of case identification from the
Attorney General's Office.

Separately, president of Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) Widigdo
Sukarman denied on Wednesday allegations that the businessman had
defrauded the state-owned bank.

He said BNI did not lend money to Sofjan but to his Gemala
business group.

Widigdo acknowledged part of the bank's loans to the business
group turned sour due to the economic crisis, but the remaining
part was still in good standing.

"We have financed several companies from the group. I admit
there are companies which have defaulted, but there are also
others which continue to make payments," Widigdo told reporters
following the bank's shareholders' meeting.

Widigdo said the bank and the Indonesian Bank Restructuring
Agency (IBRA) had started a negotiation process to restructure
the problem loans owed by Gemala Group's units.(prb/emf/rei)