Tanri files complaint against Manimaren
JAKARTA (JP): Former state minister of empowerment of state enterprises Tanri Abeng, a suspect in the Rp 546 billion (US$78 million) Bank Bali scandal, filed a complaint at National Police headquarters on Tuesday morning protesting business tycoon Marimutu Manimaren's alleged false testimony to police investigators last December.
"I had to come here. Nobody can slander and lie and spoil the reputation of another like he has been doing," Tanri told reporters at noon, after a two-hour meeting with police officers.
Tanri was accompanied by his lawyers, Ruhut Sitompul and Hotma Sitompoel.
"I am disappointed with Manimaren's statements made to the police about me. They are not only inconsistent, but they state that I am involved in the scandal. This has been going on since last December."
Hotma agreed with Tanri, adding that the only one who stated that former Bank Bali director Rudy Ramli had received calls from Tanri, was Manimaren.
"If some other person has proof of this, just bring it to court," Hotma said.
Tanri is the highest profile name to be officially linked to the case, which surfaced last year.
He and Bank Indonesia official Erman Munzir were declared suspects by Soehandoyo, spokesman for the Attorney General's Office in a hastily called media conference on Jan. 21.
With a reputation as one of Indonesia's most astute business executives, Tanri was appointed as a Cabinet minister during former president Soeharto's last term in 1998.
He was again selected by B.J. Habibie during his tumultuous 18-month presidency.
Erman worked as a Bank Indonesia official in the supervision department. Soehandoyo said Erman is currently suspended.
The Bank Bali scandal centers around transfer of Rp 546 billion to PT Era Giat Prima (EGP) as a commission for services in assisting the bank to recoup Rp 904 billion in interbank loans guaranteed by the government.
EGP is owned by businessman Djoko S. Chandra and Golkar legislator Setya Novanto. It is suspected that the commission ended in the hands of Golkar Party executives to help secure the nomination of then president B.J. Habibie.
Officials of the Attorney General's Office earlier named Djoko, Setya, Rudy and former Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency deputy chairman Pande Lubis as suspects.
After questioning Tanri in October, National Police detectives said they were unable to find any signs of his involvement in the scandal.
"Pak Tanri Abeng has not been proven (to be involved) in any corrupt practices. We have nothing against him. So far, he is free from suspicion of corruption," former chief of the National Police detectives directorate for corruption practices Col. Fajar Istiono said at the time.
Tanri was questioned in connection with an audit report by PricewaterhouseCooper which alleged that money was also deposited in a bank account of a Tanri company. (ylt)