Tempo files counter civil suit against Asian Agri

Antara ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 05/12/2008 7:30 PM  |  Headlines

Tempo magazine filed a counter civil suit against plantation firm Asian Agri Group on Monday for opposing press freedom, demanding it make a public apology.

Asian Agri filed a defamation suit against Tempo for publishing an investigative report on Jan. 15-21, 2007 accusing the former of manipulating taxes. It demanded Tempo pay Rp 5.5 billion
(US$580,000), calling the report a trial by the press.

Tempo has countered the action, saying Asian Agri's civil suit opposed press freedom as Tempo had merely reported the facts in its Asian Agri investigative report.

Tempo's lawyer Hendrayana said Tempo did not defame Asian Agri, but rather it was fulfilling its social accountability function.

Asian Agri is a subsidiary of Raja Garuda Mas Group, which is owned by one of the richest conglomerates in the country, Sukanto Tanoto. (***)

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