Jakarta – The Dharmais Foundation, formerly controlled by ex- president Soeharto, has admitted that it channeled funds to timber tycoon Mohamad "Bob" Hasan's widely diversified Nusamba Group.
Dharmais' lawyer Hotma Sitompoel yesterday said the provision of money to Nusamba was not a crime, because the foundation is a shareholder in the limited liability business conglomerate. Nusamba is involved in mining, forestry, helicopter maintenance and a range of other activities.
Hotma denied that Dharmais had violated its status as a non- profit organization by giving money to Nusamba. "Although the foundation cannot be run commercially, PT Nusamba can be," he said.
The lawyer was speaking after Dharmais treasurer Hadiyanto was interrogated at the Attorney General's Office in South Jakarta as a witness in the Soeharto corruption probe.
Hotma said it does not constitute a violation of the law if Hasan uses the foundation's funds for Nusamba and later repays the money. "Besides, Bob Hasan is one of the managers of the foundation." Attorney General's Office spokesman Yushar Yahya on Wednesday said Hasan has also been interrogated over the alleged misuse of the foundation's funds by Nusamba.
Nusamba received cash from several of Soeharto's "charity" foundations. Of its operating capital, 30% was from Dakab Foundation, 25% from Dharmais Foundation, and 25% from Supersemar Foundation. Another 10% of its capital had been supplied by Soeharto's eldest son Sigit Hardjojudanto.
Hasan, a close friend and golfing buddy of Soeharto, was in late March arrested and detained by the Attorney General's Office in connection with an investigation into alleged misuse of funds involving a government contract for a forest mapping concession.
No charges have been laid but he is still being detained by the Attorney General's Office. Hasan is being questioned over allegations that one of his companies, PT Mapindo, misused state funds. The company was ordered by the Forestry Ministry to make aerial maps of Indonesian forests. It did not give the result it promised and apparently misused billions of rupiah.
Soeharto, who has carefully avoided questioning by state prosecutors due to alleged poor health, in March 1998 appointed Hasan as trade and industry minister in his last cabinet, which only lasted about two months.