RI, Australia to trace Hendra's assets

RI, Australia to trace Hendra's assets

JAKARTA: The Indonesian government will cooperate with the Australian authorities to finally resolve the case of business tycoon Hendra Rahardja, who died early last month.

A decision was taken to track down the assets of Hendra, who was sentenced to life by the Central Jakarta District Court for misusing trillions of rupiah in Bank Indonesia liquidity assistance funds (BLBI) at the height of the economic crisis in 1998.

"We don't expect much but we will take the necessary legal steps," Minister of Justice and Human Rights Yusril Ihza Mahendra told the press after a meeting with Australia's Attorney General Darryl Williams here on Tuesday.

Despite being a lawyer, Yusril claimed he was unable to comprehend the complexities of Australia's judicial system

Hendra was accused of illegally enriching himself to the tune of trillions of rupiah in state funds. He died recently as a fugitive in Australia.

According to Yusril, difficulties could well continue to arise in resolving the case. -- Antara