Sofjan Wanandi denies alleged links with PRD

Sofjan Wanandi denies alleged links with PRD

JAKARTA (JP): Business baron Sofjan Wanandi denied over the
weekend alleged links with the People's Democratic Party (PRD)
but said he would meet the Jakarta Military Command's summons for
a questioning in connection with a bomb blast blamed on the
banned party.

Sofjan was quoted by Berita Buana daily as saying the
questioning will take place today at the municipal agency for
coordinating support for national stability's intelligent unit
office on Jl. Kramat V, Central Jakarta.

"I think of the summons positively. There's nothing special
with the summons. As a citizen, I will answer all the questions
as much as I can," Sofjan said, adding that he did not know what
sort of information the military wanted from him.

The agency issued a letter of summons Thursday, signed by
Jakarta military chief of staff Brig. Gen. Sudi Silalahi.

Sofjan, who leads a large holding company Gemala Group, will
be accompanied by his team of lawyers comprising Albert Hasibuan
and Todung Mulya Lubis.

The local security authorities are investigating a homemade
bomb explosion in a low-cost apartment in Tanah Tinggi, Central
Jakarta last Sunday. Police arrested a man whom they alleged to
be the bombmaker and are searching for other suspects.

Jakarta military commander Maj. Gen. Sjafrie Samsoeddin said
Friday that a document bearing Sofjan's name was found at the
bomb site.

Sofjan, fresh from a business trip to Singapore, said Saturday
the finding surprised him.

"As a businessman, I always avoid putting myself in trouble or
making an enemy of other people. It's difficult to believe,
therefore, that I am involved in PRD's activities," said Sofjan,
who is also member of the association of the country's richest
conglomerates better known as Jimbaran group. (amd)