Court Acquits Tommy Suharto
Thursday, 28 February, 2008 | 18:11 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta: The South Jakarta District Court rejected the civil claim filed by the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) against PT Goro Batara Sakti, former Goro commissioner Hutomo Mandala Putra a.k.a. Tommy, former Goro Managing Director Ricardo Galel and former Bulog' Head Beddu Amang on Thursday (28/2).

“Decided to fully reject it,” said Haswandi, chief of the panel of judges, at the South Jakarta District Court.

On the other hand however, the panel of judges accepted Tommy's counter-sue and ordered Bulog to pay immaterial compensation amounting to Rp5 billion to Tommy.

The panel's consideration was the claim caused damage to Tommy's reputation.

Bulog, through the state prosecutor, charged Goro, Tommy, Ricardo Gelael and Beddu Amang as it felt it had suffered losses in the case of the land swap of Bulog's 150 hectare warehouse in Marunda, North Jakarta.

Bulog claimed for Rp244 billion in material losses, Rp100 billion for immaterial losses and Rp206.52 billion in interest on the material and immaterial losses.
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According to the judges, Goro has already paid its obligation to Bulog based on the bankruptcy ruling handed down by the Commerce Court at the Central Jakarta District Court on July 26, 2006.

After the ruling, said Artha Theresia, a member of the panel of judges, all Goro's obligations were completed by a curator.

“On August 23, 2006, Bulog filed a charge against Goro,” said Artha.

Goro then paid its obligations by selling off assets.
The matter of the land in Marunda has been handed over to Bulog.

“As regards those facts, Goro has completed its responsibility to Bulog, either due to the breach of contract or an act against the law,” said Artha.

In addition, said Efran Basuning, another member of the panel of judges, Ricardo and Beddu Amang have completed their obligations to Bulog based on a criminal ruling.

“In addition to crime penalty and fines, they also paid compensation—Rp7 billion and Rp5 billion respectively,” said Efran.

Tommy's legal adviser, Elza Syarief, said she was satisfied with the ruling.

“The judges were independent,” she said.

Bulog's legal adviser, Asfifuddin, said he will lodge an appeal.

He questioned Goro's obligations that have been completed.

“We'll check again whether Goro has paid its obligations via a curator,” he said.

As regards compensation for Tommy, he said the panel of judges' decision was baseless.

Rini Kustiani