TNI won't block probe of officer’s alleged Citibank link, commander says

The Indonesian Military (TNI) says it will not block the investigation of a senior officer connected to a company allegedly established by Citibank graft suspect Malinda Dee.

Indonesian Air Force Vice Marshall Rio Mendung Thalieb served as a president commissioner of PT Sarwahita Group Management, which was established by Citibank senior relationship manager Malinda Dee, herself a suspect in the alleged embezzlement of Rp 17 billion (US$2 million) from bank customers.

TNI chief Adm. Agus Suhartono said that the TNI had not had any concerns when Rio was appointed a Sarwahita commissioner.

Rio, now deputy governor of the National Resilience Institute (Lemhanas), would retire in eight months, Agus said.

Quoting TNI regulations, Agus said that an officer who is about to retire is allowed to take part in business activities.

“But, should [Rio] is implicated in the [alleged embezzlement] case, we will turn the matter over to the police,” Agus said as quoted by tribunnews.com.