Bribery suspect seeks protection from LPSK, Police

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Tommy Hindratno, a key suspect in a bribery scandal implicating publicly listed PT Bhakti Investama, has sought protection from the Witness and Victim Protection Agency (LPSK) in anticipation of possible threats he may face during the investigation.

Tommy’s attorney, Tito Hananto, told reporters on Monday that there were several issues that made his client “uncomfortable” and he decided to consult with the LPSK on the possibility of witness protection for Tommy.

“I can’t reveal the details yet, but my client feels uncomfortable. We have also liaise with the city police on how to protect my client,” he said at the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) headquarters in South Jakarta.

When asked if the threat came from Bhakti Investama, which is owned by media tycoon Hary Tanoesoedibjo, Tito once again declined to comment.

“We are still in the process of consultation with the LPSK because according the legal system, LPSK is the body that can provide protection to witnesses and victims,” he added.

Tito came to KPK to submit Tommy’s gratuities report that identified where the Rp 280 million (US$29,960) in bribes came from that was used to collect the Rp 3.4 billion in tax restitution (overpaid taxes) of PT Bhakti Investama.

“We want to announce that my client, Tommy Hindratno, has submitted an official gratuities report to the commission. Now the commission has 30 days to decide whether to accept or reject the report,” Tito said.

The report states that the Rp 280 million came from businessman James Gunarjo, another suspect in the bribery case. The first Rp 100 million was allegedly used to pay James’ debt to Tommy, with the remaining Rp 180 million given as a gift.

However, when asked why James gave the Rp 180 million away, Tito said his client would directly explain it to judges in court. “The most important thing now is that we’re waiting for the KPK’s response to Tommy’s gratuities report. According to the law, the commission can determine that the money should be confiscated for the state or return it to Tommy,” Tito said.

The KPK has named three suspects in the case: James, a businessman who is believed to be connected with Bhakti Investama; Tommy, an official with East Java’s Sidoarjo Tax Office and Antonius Z. Tonbeng, an independent commissioner of Bhakti Investama.

Tommy is currently detained at the Jakarta City Police’s jail.

The commission had also summoned and questioned Hary Tanoesoedibjo, the CEO of Bhakti Investama.

He denied any knowledge about Tommy and the bribery scandal and claimed that his company practiced a clean business model for years.

Bhakti Investama was established in Surabaya in 1989 and moved its headquarters to Jakarta in 1990. The company covers all capital market related businesses, ranging from trading and brokerage of marketable securities, investment advisory services, investment management, underwriting, origination and syndication, financial advisory and research services.

The company has been listed on the Surabaya Stock Exchange and Jakarta Stock Exchange (now Indonesia Stock Exchange) since 1997.