Tommy Suharto
Tommy Suharto | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born | 15 July 1962 Indonesia |
| Political party | Golkar |
| Spouse | Ardhia Pramesti Regita Cahyani (1997-2006) |
| Children | Dharma Mangkuluhur Gayanti Hutami |
| Parent | Soeharto dan Siti Hartinah |
Tommy Suharto (real name Hutomo Mandala Putra) (15 July 1962) is the youngest son of Suharto, the former President of Indonesia. In 2002 he was convicted of ordering the assassination of a Supreme Court Judge of the Republic of Indonesia, Syafiuddin Kartasasmita.
Bali land scandals
Tommy in the 1980s used the Indonesian Army to force landowners in the Nusa Dua and Dreamland Beach areas to sell land at cheap prices to a company controlled by him. Today this land is reported to be still owned by him. His company leases this land to many mega resort operators including Starwood, Accor, and Hilton.
Criminal convictions
Tommy was in 2002 sentenced to 15 years jail for paying two hitmen to kill Syafiuddin Kartasasmita, a Supreme Court judge who had convicted him of graft. Other charges included illegal weapons possession and fleeing justice.
He served part of his sentence in Cipinang Penitentiary Institution (LP Cipinang), Jatinegara, East Jakarta before being transferred to Nusa Kambangan Island prison off the southern coast of Central Java. His sentence was reduced to 10 years on appeal, and he was given conditional release on 30 October 2006.[1] He spent a total of four years in detainment. Critics said Tommy was released solely because of his wealth and his family's enduring power.[2]
On 28 August 2008, Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated that Bank Mandiri had been directed to transfer 1.23 trillion rupiah (US$134 million) of funds owned by Tommy's now-defunct car company Timor Putra Nasional to a government account. Earlier, the ministry filed a graft case alleging Tommy illegally sold assets from Timor to five of his companies. Tommy responded by filing a US$21.8 million countersuit against the ministry. He won a separate US$61 million civil corruption case in February 2008, receiving US$550,000 in a countersuit.[3][4][5]
Garuda lawsuit
In March 2011, Tommy won a lawsuit against Garuda Indonesia for Rp.12.51 billion ($1.46 million) in damages. The case concerned an article titled "A New Destination to Enjoy in Bali" (Pecatu) in the December 2009 of Garuda's in-flight magazine. A footnote at the end of the article mentioned Tommy was a convicted murderer.[6] Presiding Judge Tahsin said the article had ruined Tommy’s reputation "as a national and international businessman". He said Tommy's past should not have been mentioned because he had completed his prison term.[7]
Motorsport
Tommy had a motor racing career in various disciplines, competing in Rally Indonesia in 1997 against WRC's top drivers. He also funded the development of Sentul International Circuit. His son, Darma Mangkuluhur Hutomo, is also a race car driver.
Private life
Tommy married Ardhia Pramesti Regita Cahyani, also known as 'Tata', in 1997. Tata is from royal lineage of Mangkunegaran principality of Surakarta.[8] They have two children: Dharma Mangkuluhur and Radhyana Gayanti Hutami. On 15 May 2006, Tata filed for divorce and moved to Singapore.[citation needed]
References
- ^ BBC
- ^ The Economist "Lucky Tommy," The Economist Nov. 2, 2006.
- ^ afp.google.com, Indonesia seizes 134 million dollars from Suharto son: report
- ^ mysinchew, Indonesia: Indonesia Recovers $133M From Suharto's Son
- ^ radioaustralia.net.au, Indonesian court seizes assets linked to Suharto family
- ^ http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/05/25/tommy-wins-rp-1251b-lawsuit-against-garuda.html
- ^ "Tommy Suharto's Brazen Libel Verdict". Asia Sentinel. 25 May 2011.
- ^ "Tata returns to Jakarta to walk the runway". The Jakarta Post. April 30, 2011.
External links
- "Tommy Suharto: Flamboyant playboy", BBC
- "Tommy Suharto jailed for murder", CNN
- "Return of the Cendana Prince," by Tempo magazine; also posted: *[1]
- "Chopping the global tentacles of the Suharto Oligarchy", Dr. George J. Aditjondro. Includes biography critical of Tommy Suharto
- Suharto & Sons (And Daughters, In-Laws & Cronies) George J. Aditjondro, The Washington Post, Sunday, January 25, 1998; Page C01