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)