Lubis denies Sofyan named as a suspect

JAKARTA (JP): The lawyer representing a businessman implicated in a bank credit scandal said his client, Sofyan Wanandi, could not be named a suspect because he had never been even questioned over the matter.

Todung Mulya Lubis said Tuesday his client had yet to be summoned by the prosecutor for alleged abuse of bank credit usage involving three government banks.

"We were surprised after reading the Kompas and Merdeka dailies today," Todung said, referring to reports that his client had been named a suspect by the Attorney General as of Feb. 15.

On Monday, the Attorney General's Office spokesman Soehandoyo had said Sofyan allegedly received US$16 million from PT Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) 1946, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) and Bank Bumi Daya (BBD).

Todung also said that his client could not be named a suspect because he was not on the board of directors of several companies related to the case. He said Sofyan was a commissioner, while the civil law stipulates that it is the board of directors that bear responsibility for legal matters.

By naming Sofyan, the owner of the Gemala Group conglomerate, as a suspect, the Attorney General was treating him as a suspect in a criminal case, Todung said.

Todung added that Sofyan could not be summoned because of poor health. He showed a statement dated Feb. 15 from his client's physician, saying Sofyan is being treated at a clinic in Minnesota, United States, for chest pains among other things. The statement said treatment would take three or four months.

The Attorney General has summoned Sofyan three times, on Oct. 23 and Nov. 20 last year, and Jan. 5 this year, in his capacity as owner of the Gemala Group. Todung said at that time his client was already undergoing treatment overseas. (01)