Tutut and friends told to pay Rp 8.5b

MEDAN, North Sumatra: West Sumatra's Bukittinggi District Court has ruled that the eldest daughter of former president Soeharto, Siti Hardiyanti "Tutut" Indra Rukmana, tycoon Prayogo Pangestu and Andri J. Hartono must pay Rp 8.5 billion in compensation to a local businessman.

Lawyer E.S. Simangunsong, who represented businessman M. Said Daud, said that Tutut, Prayogo and Andri had been sued in connection with the purchase of shares in oil palm plantation PT Sawit Asahan Indha (PT SAI) by PT Gora Gohana.

Tutut, Prayogo and Andri, all commissioners of PT Gora Gohana, did not pay the agreed amount for the 6,000 shares sold by M. Said Daud on June 21, 1998, Simangunsong said.

The ruling was made on July 2 by presiding judge Irama Chandra Ilja and judges Fahimah Basyir and Sudibyo, Antara reported. (emf)