Police to break into more sections of Tommy's residence
JAKARTA (JP): In yet another desperate attempt to locate the fugitive Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, police announced plans on Thursday to drill and break into at least three other spots in his house.
Despite having found nobody in the air-conditioned and well- furnished underground bunker in Tommy's house, police refused to eliminate the possibility that the fugitive, a billionaire businessman, could be hiding somewhere in or around Jl. Cendana in the leafy Menteng area of Central Jakarta, where Soeharto and his children live.
"Geo-radar detectors have indicated the existence of bunkers in an area of Tommy's house which police have marked as C-12. The new spots include the middle of the nursery, and one in front of a salon belonging to Tommy's wife," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Saleh Saaf told reporters on Thursday.
Saleh added that geo-radar signals had also indicated the existence of passageways behind the walls and beneath the bunker.
"Police will most likely break down the walls of the bunker. We have to check everything," Saleh told reporters.
There have been reports of interconnecting bunkers beneath the adjoining residences of the former first family.
The fact that fishing and automotive equipment mostly filled the 28 cupboards fixed to the walls of the bunker did not diminish the fact that the bunker could have been used by Tommy as a hiding place, Saleh said.
"So, Juan Felix Tampubolon (the Soeharto family lawyer) may call the bunker a rich man's cellar. But, that bunker could be used to hide and live comfortably by anyone's standards," Saleh added.
Among the toolkits, three bullet-proof vests were also found in the bunker.
Summons
Meanwhile, the National Police have issued separate police summons for both Juan Felix and Tommy's wife, Ardhia Pramesti "Tata" Regita Cahyani, to appear on Monday at city police headquarters for questioning as suspects in connection with having provided the police with misleading information.
"Both are scheduled to be questioned on Monday as suspects, for obstructing a police investigation. They lied to us, and gave us wrong information about the bunker," Saleh said.
He added that both would be questioned under Article 216 of the Criminal Code for obstructing the police from performing their duty, which carries a maximum jail term of four years and two months.
Tommy's family members and lawyers had been insisting for months that no bunker would be found in or around Jl. Cendana.
Tommy's elder sister, Siti Hardijanti "Tutut" Indra Rukmana, had gone so far as to announce via the Soeharto family mouthpiece, Adj. Comr. Anton Tabah, former president Soeharto's bodyguard, that a reward of Rp 200 million would be given to anybody who could prove the bunker's existence.
When asked about this, Saleh said: "All of you (reporters) should immediately go now and remind her of her promise."
"As for Anton, he has been dealt with separately by National Police Headquarters, and has been transferred from his present position as Soeharto's bodyguard to another division."
Separately, city administration spokesman Muhayat noted that no permit or license had ever been issued by the administration for any (underground) storage room when Tommy's home was being constructed.
"The owner never informed us of this. The administration could have issued a special license for a basement, which would function as a storeroom, but not a bunker," Muhayat told reporters at City Hall.
He said Tommy could be charged with violating City Bylaw No. 7/1991 on housing construction, which prohibits houses in the capital from having "secret rooms". (04/ylt)