Arnoldus Kristianus, Jakarta – Finance Minister Purbaya Yudhi Sadewa confirmed on Thursday that Siti Hardijanti Rukmana, better known as Tutut, has withdrawn her lawsuit challenging a government travel ban imposed over unsettled debt.
The ban was initiated two months ago when then-finance minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati signed an order requesting immigration authorities to prevent Tutut – the eldest daughter of the late President Soeharto – from leaving the country. The measure was tied to debt settlement proceedings involving her two companies, Citra Mataram Satriamarga Persada and Citra Bhakti Margatama Persada.
"I just learned that the lawsuit has been dropped," Purbaya told reporters in Jakarta. "Madame Tutut also sent her regards to me, and I return the gesture."
While Purbaya did not elaborate on the debt case, local media have reported that it relates to the long-running settlement of Bank Indonesia Liquidity Support (BLBI) loans disbursed during the 1997-98 Asian financial crisis.
Deni Surjantoro, spokesman for the Finance Ministry, declined to discuss the matter. "We haven't been informed about the lawsuit, so we can't comment on that," Deni said in a text message.
Tutut, 76, has largely retreated from the public eye since her father stepped down in 1998 after 32 years in power amid mass protests against his authoritarian rule. The demonstrations were partly fueled by public anger over her controversial appointment to Soeharto's cabinet, seen as a symbol of government nepotism at the time.