JAKARTA Indonesian police on Monday questioned lawyers of former president Suharto's fugitive son as part of as yet fruitless attempts to get him into jail.
Hutomo "Tommy" Mandala Putra, sentenced to 18 months in prison over an $11-million land scam, went missing a week ago when authorities went to Suharto's family estate in central Jakarta to take him to prison.
"We will call all of Tommy's defense team for questioning because we suspect they have information about their client's whereabouts," said national police spokesman Saleh Saaf said.
But lawyer Nudirman Munir told Reuters he did not know where Tommy might be hiding.
Tommy's flight has been a deep embarrassment for the government of President Abdurrahman Wahid which is already struggling to revamp a notoriously incompetent and corrupt legal system.
Wahid has ordered police to track down the wealthy former playboy, including checking what is reported to be a bunker on the Suharto estate.
Another of Tommy's lawyers said he had resigned because his client had ignored his advice to surrender.
"I've sent him three letters urging him to obey the law and give himself up to the authorities," said Erman Umar to Reuters.
"I told him I would resign if he does not respond the letters." Umar said he quit on Saturday.
Tommy has refused to give himself up until his safety in prison is guaranteed.
Though out of power since 1998, many say that the former despot and his family retain enough influence and wealth to keep Tommy out of Jakarta's Cipinang Prison.
He is the first of his family, which amassed a fortune during Suharto's 32-year despotic rule, to be convicted of graft.
The ailing former president himself faces the resumption of his own trial for corruption.
(Reuter)