Tomy Winata – In response to an article published on the Jakarta Globe's website on Feb. 21, with the headline "More Outcry Over Papua Cop's Light Punishment," I'd like to note the following.

This article outlined critical reactions by the head of the Judicial Commission, Suparman Marzuki, and Indonesia Police Watch chairman Neta S. Pane to the lenient sentence received by Adj. First Insp. Labora Sitorus, accused of money laundering. The article also mentioned a money transfer from Labora to several National Police officials and adds:

"He [Papua Police spokesman Adj. Sr. Comr. Sulistyo Pudjo Hartono] refuted claims that Tito [Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian] received money from Labora during a 2013 visit to the Raja Ampat area along with controversial businessman Tomy Winata and former Deputy National Police chief Comr. Gen. Nanan Sukarna. Labora was previously stationed at Raja Ampat."

I would like to make clear:

First of all, I haven't been to Raja Ampat in more than 20 years. I have never been to Raja Ampat with the former National Police deputy chief, Comr. Gen. Nanan Sukarna, and Papua Police chief Insp. Gen. Tito Karnavian. Therefore this report about me is absolutely not true.

I also deeply object to being called a "controversial businessman." The Great Dictionary of the Indonesian Language (KBBI) defines "controversial" as "sparks debates" and it is commonly perceived as a negative word, particularly because it was used in an article with a negative connotation. I do not understand on what basis the Jakarta Globe chooses to label me as "controversial."

Lastly, it is really regrettable that the Jakarta Globe never tried to contact me to confirm whether or not I went to Raja Ampat – as it should have, based on the 1999 Law on the Press and the journalistic code of ethics.

Jakarta Globe would like to thank Tomy Winata for this clarification and regrets not having contacted him for confirmation. The word "controversial" has been deleted from the article in question.