Tutut's signature forged

MEDAN, North Sumatra: By forging the signature of President Soeharto's eldest daughter Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, Sutrisno was able to collect at least Rp 30 million (US$3,000) from 400 job seekers during his nine month scam here.

The elementary school graduate, who previously worked as a grass-cutter, managed to convince his victims that he was authorized by Hardijanti -- better known as Mbak Tutut, to recruit workers for the construction of a new airport in Kuala Namu, Deli Serdang, later this year.

Hardijanti is the new minister of social services.

Sutrisno charged them between Rp 25,000 to Rp 250,000 in administration fees and guaranteed them that Hardijanti's company, PT Citra Lamtoro Gung, would hire them.

Hendrik Patras, one of the victims, lost his patience with Sutrisno's promises and decided to travel to Jakarta early this month to check his job application at the company's headquarters.

Police arrested 44-year-old Sutrisno on March 4 after the company said it had no intention of recruiting workers for the project, which had been postponed by the government. (21)