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Tomy Winata Denies WikiLeaks Allegations
Jakarta Globe | March 15, 2011

The Age on Friday published a story titled "Yudhoyono The Age on Friday published a story titled "Yudhoyono 'Abused Power.'" The article, based on Wikileaks cables, makes serious allegations against President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and a number of other state officials, including former Vice President Jusuf Kalla.
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KneecZar
2:35pm Mar 16, 2011

Valkyrie, DrDez

Unfortunately as a nation, we Indonesians are very much a racist people. Lets face it, how you're treated is more or less based on your skin color. Most folks just can't get past that.


DrDez
12:19pm Mar 16, 2011

Blikalina

Would that be different skin Yellow or White or Black or perhaps different browns? Or maybe its the ones who you can't be sure about like my kids?

Perhaps you are just using a metaphorical racist remark and its all a misunderstanding. But I agree lets keep Indonesia for the Indonesians - But which Indonesians? The pribumi ethinically pure Indonesian? or the diluted Indonesian? or the import? or the conquested Indonesian? Or perhaps just Muslim Indonesians? or maybe the Balinese....

You are living in a country where you (Indonesians) rip each other off as a matter of standard practice. But its OK you can blame the white man (insert yellow/black/brown as reqd) and can forget all the corruption and hate.... NICE


marko1
12:01pm Mar 16, 2011

Blikalina did a hit and run....

Valkyrie
10:59am Mar 16, 2011

C'mon blikalina....spit it out and define what you meant with "different skin."

I'm the third person asking you.

KneeZar, you and I know, but I like to have the pleasure in having this individual explain his/her comment.

KneecZar
10:03am Mar 16, 2011

What blikalina meant was the evil minority elite yellow skin, right?


Banking and construction tycoon Tomy Winata has denied WikiLeaks allegations that he “relays funds” to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

Tomy, the owner of Artha Graha Group, said his relationship with the president was no different to that of any citizen.

“If people say that I am close [to the president], this is true, constitutionally. [But] it’s only a relationship between a citizen and a president. If I am summoned, I will obey. But it rarely happens,” Tomy said in a statement published by news portals.

“I am trying to carry out my obligations as a child of the nation to develop my business. In accordance with President SBY’s vision, I am trying to contribute to my country under the principles of pro-growth, pro-job, pro-poor and pro-environment,” he said.

Tomy said that the WikiLeaks allegations originally published in Australian newspapers The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald were disturbing.

“If the allegations were only about Tomy Winata and his family, it’s not a problem. But this is about the nation,” Tomy said.

The tycoon said he had decided to talk to the press on the issue because he feared the allegations would ruin his business and risk the livelihood of his employees.  

“When there’s a snowball of baseless news like this and our business partners delay or even cancel business deals, it’s doomsday for the company,” Tommy said, adding that he was willing to do anything to stop the rumors.

“I am asking you not to let the issue drag on. If I have to lick your shoes so that a million or so of my employees can still make a living, I will do it. To me, the interest of the nation is far more important than my pride and the pride of my family.”

According to the reports, the leaked cables allege Agung Laksono, the coordinating minister for people’s welfare, told US diplomats that TB Silalahi “functioned as a middleman, relaying funds from Winata to Yudhoyono, protecting the president from potential liabilities that could arise if Yudhoyono were to deal with Tomy directly.”

Tomy said he had been friends with TB, who works as a consultant at Artha Graha, for 30 years, but “Pak TB is not a person who connects us with SBY and his family.”

As to allegations that he is “an underworld figure and a member of a leading syndicate called the ‘Gang of Nine’ or ‘Nine Dragons’, Tomy said he had never heard of the sydnicate.

“I am confused with the term ‘Nine Dragons.’ I don’t understand,” he said.

“These are irresponsible allegations. I was born in Indonesia and have lived here all my life. I will always do my best for the country.”