Wahid masseur cash recovered

President Wahid: Could be interviewed by police

Indonesian police have recovered most of the $4.1m allegedly stolen by President Abdurrahman Wahid's masseur.

Investigators said they had got back about $3.5m of the money, including more than $1m from the masseur's wife who was interrogated by police this week.

The masseur, Mr Suwondo, allegedly obtained the funds after pretending his request came from the president himself.

Detectives believe he has since fled abroad, possibly to Laos or Thailand.

The money was taken from the State Logistics Agency (Bulog) which regulates the distribution and prices of basic commodities.

Wife

Mr Suwondo's wife, Teti Nursetiati, returned some 10bn rupiah (nearly $1.2m) on Tuesday.

Police chief General Rusdiharjo did not say where they had recovered the other 20bn rupiah from.

But the Jakarta Post said it comprised 5bn rupiah which went to a bank account of a businesswoman based in central Java, and 15bn rupiah, which went to an account of an official of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle.

Mr Wahid, who is currently on a two-week overseas trip, has denied any wrongdoing. He said Mr Suwondo acted alone without his knowledge.

Former deputy Bulog chief, Mr Sapuan, was sacked after admitting he authorised disbursement of the money to the masseur.

He has said he handed over the money to Mr Suwondo after talking to Mr Wahid, and was under the impression it was for him to use for humanitarian relief projects in the northern province of Aceh.

Uproar

The scandal has sparked an uproar in Indonesia, with the media alleging Mr Wahid's inner circle of friends and relatives may have played a role.

Media Indonesia newspaper on Thursday quoted national police detective chief Alex Bambang Riatmojo saying police could still summon Mr Wahid and top presidential palace officials for questioning.

But he said that no evidence had been found of their involvement so far.