On Sunday, Siti “Tutut” Hardiyanto Rukmana said she had seized ownership of TPI from media tycoon Harry Tanoesoedibjo based on a decree from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights.
Siti “Tutut” Hardiyanto Rukmana, the once-powerful eldest daughter of the late President Suharto, claimed on Monday through a lawyer that Televisi Pendidikan Indonesia was operating normally after she reportedly took over the station despite an ongoing ownership battle.
Taking advantage of what appears to be a technicality
related to an online company registration system that is the subject of separate legal proceedings, Tutut claims to have regained her hold over the broadcaster.
“Today, all employees worked smoothly,” said lawyer Harry Ponto, who represents Tutut.
On Sunday, Tutut said she had seized ownership of TPI from media tycoon Harry Tanoesoedibjo based on a decree from the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights. She appointed Yapto Soeryosumarno, a longtime friend of the Suharto clan, as the new chief executive.
“An inquiry by the ministry found that the registration of a change in TPI management based on the March 18, 2005, shareholders meeting was unlawful because the online registration system in the [ministry] was fraudulent,” Harry Ponto said.
The online registry at the time was provided by a company run by Hartono, the younger brother of Harry Tanoesoedibjo.
Hartono was charged on Monday for graft tied to the online service.
“Sunday’s announcement had nothing to do with the legal case facing Hartono. We have recently secured the ministerial decree stating that Tutut was the lawful owner of TPI,” Harry Ponto said.
This month, Tutut filed a civil suit against Harry Tanoesoedibjo’s PT Berkah Karya Bersama, which in 2002 she appointed to help deal with the station’s debt. She claims the company misused her appointment letter to hold a shareholders meeting on March 18, 2005, and to take over TPI.
She is seeking Rp 4.3 trillion ($465 million) in damages.
She said the meeting took place a day after she held a similar gathering with shareholders.
When TPI was reregistered online with the government, the ministry turned down Tutut’s request on the grounds that the online system was broken. But when the management from the March 18 meeting came forward with the same request, their registration was accepted, she said.
Berkah lawyer Andi Simangunsong was not available for immediate comment.
Separately, the president director of TPI, Sang Nyoman Suwisma, was livid. “She should not have used this maneuver. Tutut should not have used New Order regime tactics to deal with this issue.”
