Tanri files complaint against Manimaren
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)