Tommy -- a legendary figure

It has been almost a year since police began their search for Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra who is living as a fugitive following the court's decision to sentence him to 18 months in prison. And the public has been wondering why it has taken so long for the police to arrest the man. Every member of his family and his associates have been interrogated by the police and their houses searched but, incredibly, Tommy managed to escape the net of justice just in time.

Despite the recent Supreme Court ruling that exonerated Tommy of corruption charges, the police still want him to appear at police headquarters as a suspect in the murder of a Supreme Court judge, Syafiuddin Kartasasmita.

Is he guilty of the murder or has he gone overseas, as many people fear? Why did he apply for a pardon in the first place if he was not guilty? And even after being exonerated of charges by the Supreme Court he still refused to show up. Even his wife and other members of the Soeharto family can only guess where he is hiding.

Why does he prefer to live as a fugitive instead of a free man? One thing can be said for sure -- Tommy has now become a legendary figure.

GANDHI SUKARDI

Jakarta