Two officials may be questioned on 'arisan'

Two officials may be questioned on 'arisan'

JAKARTA (JP): National police are considering questioning two
officials of the City Trade Office in relation to the
investigation of the controversial Danasonic arisan savings chain
scheme.

"It's not impossible for us to question the city trade
officials, in connection to the issuance of license permits
provided to the company, because we found something strange in
the documents," National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. IK Ratta
told reporters yesterday.

According to Sindi Husain, commissioner of PT Saptamitra
Ekakarya, which runs the business, the company operated with
trading permits issued by the trade office and its South
Jakarta's chapter.

But Ratta said that the police have found strong indication
that the operator of the Danasonic scheme abused the permits.

"We'll tell the details when we have completed our
investigation," the spokesman said, hoping that the public
cooperates in helping to stop the distribution of the forms.

The trading permits issued for PT Saptamitra Ekakarya were
given to two different persons, respectively Martini Yuanita
Ampera Putri and Sindi's wife, Aneke Kolondam, who is president
of the firm.

All of the permits are licensed for internal trade business
and export-import business.

The first permit number 3852/09-01/PB/XI/92, given to Martini,
a resident of Jl. Borobudur 5 in Pegangsaan, Central Jakarta, was
approved by the head of the city trade office Hamonangan Pane on
Nov. 13, 1992.

The second permit number 4522/3852-P/09-04/PB/I/94, given to
Aneke Kolondam, was also approved by Hamonangan Pane in January
in 1994.

The third license number 0639/09-04/PM/VIII/94, given again to
Aneke, was approved by head of the South Jakarta trade office,
Husein Effendi.

Normally, a company is provided only with one trading license.

"Wait until we complete our findings," Ratta promised, but did
not mention when the two officers would be questioned.

The Danasonic business has been under police investigation
following findings that its arisan savings chain scheme has
caused great losses to the public.

Arisan is actually a periodic gathering to draw lots for an
aggregate sum of money contributed by the members.

Unlike the traditional system, the Danasonic arisan chain
savings scheme requires its new member to pay Rp 11,000 (US$4.95)
to the organizer and Rp 10,000 each to two earlier participants
listed on a coupon.

In return, he or she can receive a larger amount up to over Rp
10 million if they can actively sell the coupons to other active
newcomers. (bsr)