Tommy still well protected, says criminologist Harkristuti

The case of the fugitive businessman and son of Soeharto, Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, is among this country's crime cases containing many curious twists. Criminologist Harkristuti Harkrisnowo talks to The Jakarta Post contributor I. Christianto on the issue.

Question: Are the police doing their best in trying to capture Tommy Soeharto, the main suspect behind the murder of Supreme Court Justice M. Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, as well as bombings in a number of areas?

Answer: It is regretful that the police ordered (last Monday) Tommy to surrender within three days. Tommy has escaped his prison sentence (of 18 months for a corruption case) and then he was ordered to surrender for a murder case in which he could get a life sentence. Who would want to surrender? And by offering the three-day period, the police have likely opened the possibility of violating UN convention 584 against torture. After three days their "firm action" might imply shooting the suspect.

Some wonder if this is a plot involving the police. Your comment?

There's always a possibility -- but the police have their image at stake. The National Police will lose face if they create such a scenario, then fail and get trapped in their own plot.

Should family members be arrested for not reporting their contact with the fugitive to police?

Under Article 221 of the Criminal Code, family members can't face legal action for hiding or helping someone escape.

I think the article is a bit contradictory (with legal supremacy). Though it was derived from Dutch law, I think it relates to the cultural perspective regarding strong family values ... even the government wouldn't break up a family.

But what about the lawyers?

The lawyers are not included as family members based on the article, so they can be prosecuted. Do you think the police are serious in handing this case?

As the police associate the case with terrorism, I'd say it's hard to handle. Terrorism is a complicated act, consequently it is difficult to detect.

Then, there is the power aspect. Many say they have seen Tommy on several occasions, such as in discotheques or certain areas. Tommy seems well protected. I don't know who's protecting him, but he is notorious for his power and money.

So will Tommy remain free?

Yes. Although many have said they have seen Tommy, I wonder if anyone has reported it to the police. Maybe they're looking out for their own safety or maybe they don't care as they think they will only encounter problems with the police.

Since many common people know of Tommy's whereabouts, the police would also know. But the police can't do anything as Tommy has power and money.

What about police competence, especially that of its intelligence unit?

I understand that the police intelligence unit was set up less than a year ago. (As the police force has been separated with the military), many intelligence experts are still within the military.

It seems the police are reluctant to ask the military for help. Instead of offering a reward (increased to Rp 500 million from an initial Rp 25 million for those who could provide information regarding the fugitive), the police could have used the funds to pay the military to support their intelligence unit.

If we're talking about terrorism, the police should solve this case. Terrorism aims to create public anxiety. Terrorism in Indonesia (compared to bombing incidents in other countries) is uncommon; there's no target and no party admits responsibility.