Tommy Suharto won't surrender, says police chief

By Amit Baruah

SINGAPORE, AUG. 21. Mr. Tommy Suharto, fugitive son of the former Indonesia dictator, Gen. Suharto, will not surrender, the country's police chief, Gen. Suroyo Bimantoro, said today in Jakarta.

There had been indications from family members that Tommy, Gen. Suharto's youngest son, also a suspect in the July 26 murder of a Supreme Court judge, would turn himself in. Tommy stands convicted in a 1996 corruption case. Gen. Bimantoro, who was ``sacked'' by the then President, Mr. Abdurrahman Wahid but refused to give up his job, told reporters that no negotiations were necessary if Tommy actually wanted to surrender. ``If he wants to surrender, he can do so. No negotiations are necessary. (Please) be my guest...anytime he wishes to surrender,'' the police chief was quoted as saying.

``I have told the Cendana (Suharto) family that it would be better for Tommy to turn himself in so that he can clarify everything. But if not, the police will take firm measures,'' Gen. Bimantoro said. The police, he said, had been directed to intensify the search for Tommy and not be ``deceived'' by statements that Gen. Suharto's son wanted to surrender. ``I'm afraid if we believe such a statement it will reduce the search effort and break the officers' concentration to nail him,'' the General added.

Apart from the odd statement, the police-military establishment, it would appear, has made no special effort to nab Tommy. Many believe that he is being afforded protection by powerful sections in authority. So far, there have been no reports that Tommy has actually left Indonesia. The impunity with which he continues to live in Indonesia indicates that he does enjoy a certain level of ``protection''.

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Section  : International
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