Beckkett vs Deutsche Bank: Media & Law Collides
A friend from a major newspaper called me early this week asking whether I got the invitation to Singapore.
"Who's inviting?"
"You know the PR agency from United States? They're inviting six journalists from Indonesia to cover the trial of Beckkett versus Deutsche Bank in Singapore court for three days. I thought you're one of the journalists," he said.
"To whom the PR represent, anyway?"
"One of the parties, I'm not sure either Beckkett or Deutsche Bank or their respective lawyers," he said.
"So, what's your office stance on this?"
"Well, my office said as long as they pay all the costs, air ticket, hotels, and meals, I may go. Anyway this is a good chance to get away from Jakarta, right," he said.
"But don't you aware that would surely make you in a delicate situation to meet the cover both sides standard reporting for court hearings?"
"Well, this is a real life man. Don't be so naive. And don't push me to reject the invitation," he said.
"Have a nice flight then," I said and close the conversation.
Then I keep wondering who might so keen to bring Indonesian journalist to cover the trial in Singapore at such expensive cost, while here at home so many big corruption stories that needs their full investigation.
I was 100% sure on one thing though. That, it's impossible these journalists could go to Singapore with their offices' costs. Anyway, how come that all of a sudden these six journalists so eager to attend the hearing without someone taking care of their expenses? What's so important?
Well, I understand that so much money at stake in the Beckkett versus Deutsche Bank case. Beckkett was the owner of 40% shares at PT Adaro Indonesia, the second largest coal mining company in Indonesia, before the Deutsche Bank sold the pledged shares to PT Dianlia.
One of the reports appeared in Bisnis Indonesia today under the title Disclosing the conspiracy in the divestment of PT Adaro shares. Almost 80% of its contents were based on the opening statement from Victor Sim, Beckkett's lawyer, delivered in the Singapore High Court. It seems that the writer was one of Indonesian journalists attending the hearing.
The writer, meanwhile, confirmed earlier reports that Indonesia tycoon Sukanto Tanoto, the owner of RGM International, is the owner of Beckkett. Even though the newspaper also quoted Deutsche Bank's lawyer aftermath of the hearing, but with only three paragraphs for Deutsche, I would say the title had clearly confirmed my question on who invited these journalists. One remaining question on who're the other journalists would be answered in the coming days of publications, I think.
For sure, parties involved have every rights to bring journalists to Singapore court, which I believe would be the case for the next hearings before the court make decision on June. But imagine if you don't have money while your opponent have huge resources. A trial by the press would happen over and over. Lawyers, especially those who claim to fight for press freedom, should aware about this.
TO BE CONTINUED...
"Who's inviting?"
"You know the PR agency from United States? They're inviting six journalists from Indonesia to cover the trial of Beckkett versus Deutsche Bank in Singapore court for three days. I thought you're one of the journalists," he said.
"To whom the PR represent, anyway?"
"One of the parties, I'm not sure either Beckkett or Deutsche Bank or their respective lawyers," he said.
"So, what's your office stance on this?"
"Well, my office said as long as they pay all the costs, air ticket, hotels, and meals, I may go. Anyway this is a good chance to get away from Jakarta, right," he said.
"But don't you aware that would surely make you in a delicate situation to meet the cover both sides standard reporting for court hearings?"
"Well, this is a real life man. Don't be so naive. And don't push me to reject the invitation," he said.
"Have a nice flight then," I said and close the conversation.
Then I keep wondering who might so keen to bring Indonesian journalist to cover the trial in Singapore at such expensive cost, while here at home so many big corruption stories that needs their full investigation.
I was 100% sure on one thing though. That, it's impossible these journalists could go to Singapore with their offices' costs. Anyway, how come that all of a sudden these six journalists so eager to attend the hearing without someone taking care of their expenses? What's so important?
Well, I understand that so much money at stake in the Beckkett versus Deutsche Bank case. Beckkett was the owner of 40% shares at PT Adaro Indonesia, the second largest coal mining company in Indonesia, before the Deutsche Bank sold the pledged shares to PT Dianlia.
One of the reports appeared in Bisnis Indonesia today under the title Disclosing the conspiracy in the divestment of PT Adaro shares. Almost 80% of its contents were based on the opening statement from Victor Sim, Beckkett's lawyer, delivered in the Singapore High Court. It seems that the writer was one of Indonesian journalists attending the hearing.
The writer, meanwhile, confirmed earlier reports that Indonesia tycoon Sukanto Tanoto, the owner of RGM International, is the owner of Beckkett. Even though the newspaper also quoted Deutsche Bank's lawyer aftermath of the hearing, but with only three paragraphs for Deutsche, I would say the title had clearly confirmed my question on who invited these journalists. One remaining question on who're the other journalists would be answered in the coming days of publications, I think.
For sure, parties involved have every rights to bring journalists to Singapore court, which I believe would be the case for the next hearings before the court make decision on June. But imagine if you don't have money while your opponent have huge resources. A trial by the press would happen over and over. Lawyers, especially those who claim to fight for press freedom, should aware about this.
TO BE CONTINUED...
Labels: COAL, Sukanto Tanoto
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posted by yosef at 8:24 PM
1 Comments:
Just to point out a mistake in the sentence: "Almost 80% of its contents were based on the opening statement from Victor Sim, Beckkett's lawyer, delivered in the Singapore High Court."
Beckkett's lawyer is Mr. Steven Chong, S.C. (Rajah & Tann). Mr. Victor Sim is a former Deutsche Bank officer who was subpoenaed by Beckkett and who appeared as a first witness during the trial.
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