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edia mogul Hary Tanoesoedibjo testified on Friday as a witness at the trial of businessman James Gunarjo over a bribery scandal allegedly involving Hary’s company, PT Bhakti Investama.

James allegedly bribed tax official Tommy Hindratno for the issuance of a tax restitution for PT Bhakti Investama, which owes Rp 3.4 billion (US$353,600) in tax arrears.

During the court hearing, Hary blamed his subordinates at PT Bhakti Investama.

The businessman, who joined the National Democratic (Nasdem) Party, said he did not know anything about the company’s financial matters because, as chief executive officer (CEO), his role was merely to boost the company’s image.

“I was only made CEO because I have a good network overseas. I don’t have daily duties; they are handled by the directors,” Hary said, adding that he did not even have an office in the company’s headquarters.

PT Bhakti Investama is a media holding firm that oversees 100 companies including, among others, PT Media Nusantara Citra, PT Bhakti Capital Indonesia and PT MNC Sky Vision with more than 20,000 employees.

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) named three suspects in the case: James, a businessman who is believed to be connected with Bhakti Investama; Tommy, an official at East Java’s Sidoarjo Taxation Office; and Antonius Z. Tonbeng, an independent commissioner with PT Bhakti Investama.

The case began when Antonius met with Tommy and asked him “to take care” of the tax restitution at the MNC Tower cafeteria in Kebon Sirih, Central Jakarta, in January 2012.

The KPK then caught James while he was in the process of bribing Tommy at a Padang restaurant in Tebet, South Jakarta, in June.

The KPK confiscated Rp 285 million in alleged bribe money from James at the time of his arrest.

According to Hary, Bhakti Investama’s regulations stipulate that if he does not attend a meeting as CEO, the board of directors assume responsibility.

Hary said, however, that he normally attended meetings with the board of directors every three months because, as a listed company, they had to publicize their financial reports.

“Meetings tend to discuss the consolidation of subsidiaries like profit reports, company income and dividends,” he said.

Hary added, therefore, that paying taxes and taking care of overdue tax assessments were the board of directors’ responsibility.

“Board meetings do not discuss restitution, so I don’t know about that,” he maintained.

Hary said he was bewildered about the case because he believed PT Bhakti Investama was rigorous about paying its taxes.

“I am confused but we will follow the legal process. But it is too removed to connect the incident with me,” he said.

Hary added that he had never ordered Antonius to take care of the tax restitution.

“Antonius is an independent commissioner. Taking care of the restitution is not in his job description,” he said.

According to Hary, the companies under PT Bhakti Investama pay a combined annual tax bill of up to
Rp 1.1 trillion. (cor)