Sudwikatmono denies failing to donate

Sudwikatmono denies failing to donate

JAKARTA (JP): Prominent businessman Sudwikatmono said yesterday that he was surprised at reading newspaper reports about the failure of conglomerates to donate Rp 3 billion to the 1994 National Social Solidarity Day organizing committee.

The business tycoon told Antara in an interview that, as one of the conglomerates listed to give a donation, he felt cornered by the reports which suggested that he and the other conglomerates had reneged on their promise.

Local newspapers recently reported that Sudwikatmono, the owner of Golden Truly stores, had failed to collect money from 14 other tycoons who had promised to give donations to the committee.

"I have done my best to ask the 14 businessmen to donate funds for the committee," he said.

Sudwikatmono denied press reports that there were 20 businessmen willing to give donations to the 1994 National Social Solidarity Day organizing committee.

"There are only 15, including myself. Each of them was asked to donate Rp 200 million to the committee so that the total sum would be Rp 3 billion," he said, adding that he did not set the target of collecting Rp 3 billion.

He also strongly denied the statements made by several legislators suggesting that he and the other 14 conglomerates did not have a high degree of national solidarity.

The other 14 tycoons are Sudono Salim, Eka Tjipta Widjaya, Prayogo Pangestu, Mohammad (Bob) Hasan, Mrs. Hartati Murdaya, Ciputra, Burhan Uray, Robby Sumampouw, Didi Darwis, Sukanto Tanoto, Usman Admadjaja, Ongko, Indra Rahardja and Santoso. (bas)