Sofjan claims innocence in fraud case

JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Sofjan Wanandi has been listed as a fugitive for allegedly defrauding three state banks of up to Rp 1 trillion (US$149 million).

However, Sofjan, head of the widely diversified Gemala Group, denied on Tuesday he had defrauded the banks.

"Reports that I misused loans of up to one trillion rupiah from three state banks are not true because I personally have no debts at those state banks," Sofjan said in a statement read by his lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis.

Sofjan, who is currently abroad, called a media conference through his lawyer here after Deputy Attorney General for Special Crimes Ramelan announced on Monday he was a fugitive and had been reported to Interpol.

Ramelan said Sofjan was suspected of having misused loans from Bank Rakyat Indonesia, Bank Bumi Daya and Bank Negara Indonesia through the 10 firms under his control.

Todung denied the charges, saying the directors of each of the firms was responsible for their company's debts, not Sofjan in his capacity as head commissioner of the firms.

Todung also said even if the 10 firms could not repay their loans, it was not a case of corruption.

"Why haven't they instead moved to take over the assets of the firms... there's an indication that this case was forced through," he said.

A scanned phone conversation purportedly between President B.J. Habibie and now suspended attorney general Andi Ghalib which was leaked to the media earlier this year hinted that Sofjan, as well as fellow businessman Arifin Panigoro, were main targets of the government's antigraft drive.

Most of the firms under Gemala Group have or are undergoing debt restructuring and some of the firms' debts have been taken over by the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency.

Todung also denied his client was a fugitive. "I am frequently in touch with the Attorney General's Office and they know that my client Sofjan Wanandi is undergoing medical treatment abroad."

Although unable to specify his client's ailments, Todung said Sofjan was "moving between the United States and Australia for treatment".

"I have asked Sofjan Wanandi to return as soon as possible, but he has to undergo numerous medical checkups, so (his return) really depends on his medical treatment," he said.

In his statement, Sofjan said he would comply with a summons issued by the Attorney General's Office "as long as I receive fair treatment under the due process of the law".

Todung said Sofjan's medical treatments had prevented him from answering three earlier summons issued by the Attorney General's Office. (byg)