M Julnis Firmansyah, Jakarta – Kivlan Zen's attorney, Tonin Tachta, said his client is suing Wiranto, demanding the Coordinating Minister for Political, Law, and Legal Affairs to pay him Rp8 billion.

According to Tonin, the former Kostrad Chief of Staff wants Wiranto to reimburse him for the logistics costs he paid during for the formation of the Swakarsa Community Security Force or Pam Swakarsa in 1998.

Kivlan Zen claimed his paid Rp8 billion out of his own pocket to help establish the Pam Swakarsa.

"The biggest is to pay eight days' worth of meals for 30,000 people bought from Padang restaurants in Jakarta, transportation, buying communication equipment, PAM cars, the death of five people, and other expenses," Tonin told Tempo on Tuesday, August 13.

Tonin said that to pay for all the troops' expenses, Kivlan had sell his house, cars, and even borrow money. Tonin said Kivlan did all that because he felt responsible as a commander.

In 1999, Kivlan asked the government to reimburse him. The request was conveyed to Wiranto, who was then serving as the Commander of the TNI, and to then President B.J. Habibie.

However, at that time the government only gave him Rp400 million. Kivlan continued to ask for the remaining funds to the government.

In April 2019, Kivlan, who never received clarity about his money, decided to sue Wiranto in the East Jakarta District Court. He argued that what the government did was against the law.

"We have complete and concrete evidences," Tonin said. The first hearing of Kivlan Zen. Wiranto will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2019 at the East Jakarta District Court.

Source: https://en.tempo.co/read/1235353/kivlan-zen-demands-wiranto-pay-rp8bn-owed-to-padang-restaurants