Three directors quizzed over scam

Three directors quizzed over scam

JAKARTA (JP): Three directors of PT Artha Buana Sakti, a
subsidiary of the now defunct Bank Harapan Sentosa (BHS) Group,
are helping police with their inquiry into the alleged illegal
sale of company assets worth hundreds of billions of rupiah.

The prime suspect in the case is Melinda Wijaya, a PT Artha
director and top BHS executive. She is still at large.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang named the three
witnesses as Joko Sutikno, Yudi Susanto and A. Sentosa.

"They told police that Melinda was behind Dahril's appointment
as director on Nov. 14, 1997, and that the appointment was a
ruse", Aritonang said.

Evidence of the wrongdoings surfaced recently in a complaint
filed by Dahril Dewantoro, who claimed he was fired from his
position as president of PT Arta Buana Sakti without good reason
in February.

In his complaint, filed with police on March 28, Dahril said
that his appointment as director had been designed to make it
appear as though he was responsible for the sale of company
assets.

"Information suggests that Dahril was replaced after Melinda
Wijaya sold PT Artha Buana Sakti to Hariyadi Kumala and Hermanto
Susanto on Oct. 14, 1997," Aritonang said.

In his complaint, Dahril cited assets which Melinda allegedly
sold, including Gajah Mada Plaza in West Jakarta. (edt)