KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 5 — Indonesian police are on the hunt for a Malaysian businessman who is alleged to have embezzled 22 billion rupiah (RM6.6 million) from betel nut traders in South-east Asia’s largest economy.
Tanjungjabung Barat Police chief ADG Sinaga said Indonesian immigration authorities have been contacted to prevent Harjid Singh from leaving the country pending investigations, The Jakarta Post reported last night.
“We had questioned 12 people who filed reports,” the senior Indonesian policeman was quoted saying.
According to the news report, Harjid worked as president director at a betel nut processing company PT Sari Nurto, which had allegedly failed to pay after promising to buy betel nut from the traders at higher than market prices of 16,000 rupiah (RM4.80) per kg.
The first complaints of embezzlement were filed by the traders last month who claimed they were offered payments of 20,000 rupiah (RM5.97) to 22,000 rupiah (RM6.57) per kg.
One affected trader, Andi Nawir, claimed to have suffered 350 million rupiah (RM96,000) losses, or six months’ worth of business deals.
“The company usually paid after three deliveries. Up to 10 tons for each delivery [were allowed],” Andi was quoted saying.
Indonesian police have sealed a warehouse in Sungai Sare village, Bram Itam district owned by Harjid’s company as a security measure.
