T

he family of Irzen Octa, the politician who died while meeting with Citibank debt collectors, is suing the bank and demanding Rp 3 trillion (US$345 million) in damages.

The family’s lawyer, O.C. Kaligis, said the suit was filed against Citibank headquarters in New York and the bank’s subsidiary in the country.

“We are seeking Rp 1 trillion in compensation for material damages and Rp 2 trillion for immaterial damages,” Kaligis said after filing the civil suit at the Central Jakarta District Court on Tuesday.

Kaligis said Citibank was in violation of a US regulation, the Fair Debt Collecting Practices Act, as well as the Indonesian 2008 Banking Law, which bans the use of violence in debt collection practices.

“The Fair Debt Collection Practices Act stipulates that debt collectors must not resort to violence and criminal acts, whereas the banking law states that banks must use measures that will not harm the bank nor the clients in conducting their businesses,” Kaligis said.

He added that Rp 3 trillion damages was a fair amount considering that Citibank was one of the largest banks in the world.

In a related development, police on Thursday questioned Citibank customer care vice president Hotman Simbolon in the criminal case involving debt collectors hired by the bank.

“I was questioned about the debt collectors,” Hotman was quoted as saying by news portal vivanews.com.

Octa died while meeting three debt collectors from Citibank on March 29 the bank’s branch office at Jamsostek Tower on Jl. Gatot Subroto, South Jakarta.

Police named a Citibank collection leader and three debt collectors suspects for abuse and murder. On Tuesday, police named another suspect in the case who allegedly contacted Octa before the victim came to the branch office.

Kaligis said he suspected foul play was involved in the handling of Octa’s body after he collapsed at the Citibank branch office. He said that instead of being taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, the body was sent to Mintohardjo Navy Hospital, with police seemingly oblivious to the state of the body.

Octa’s family has also requested a new autopsy because of two different postmortem reports signed by physician Ade Firmansyah from Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital.

Citibank country corporate affairs head Citi Indonesia director Ditta Amahorseya said she could not comment on the lawsuit.

“Our condolences and prayers go to the family of the late Mr. Irzen Octa. While we are aware of the news reports that his family filed a lawsuit at the Central Jakarta District Court today, we have not received it and it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this time,” Ditta said in an email sent to The Jakarta Post.

“As we have stated previously, our internal investigation has found no indication that Mr. Octa was physically harmed at our offices. We continue to cooperate fully with the police investigation,” she said.