The Timor Man (34 page)

“
Baiklah
,
Corporal. You were saying that General Seda had ordered you

here. Has my jongus offered you something to drink?” he inquired
. “
Belum, tuan,
” the man replied, “
but that is all right as I am not thirsty, terima kasih
. ”

“
Corporal, I am sorry that my jongus failed to tell me that one of the General's men was waiting,
” he apologized. “
However he will be reprimanded.
”

Both men knew that this would not happen; however the Corporal was pleased that this
tuan
had recognized the fact that it was incorrect to keep the General's messenger waiting for as long as he had.

“
Tidak apa-apa, tuan
,” the soldier smiled, indicating that what had happened was of no importance. He then handed the letter to the foreigner.

Coleman read the invitation immediately. Considering it may provide a window of opportunity and even resolve his present difficulties, he decided to accept. The soldier departed. Coleman changed quickly from the casual attire he had hastily dressed in selecting a blue motif
batik
shirt with dark trousers. The invitation was for cocktails followed by dinner.

The old Dutch grandfather clock indicated he would be late if he did not hurry. He had no vehicle.

As he was preparing to board a
becak
to take him to the Blok M shopping centre, Phil Walters returned, and offered his car and driver. Coleman accepted as the invitation was for six o'clock.

His previous experiences and working knowledge of the country and its people's habits were all too familiar. He was grateful for the extra effort he'd spent studying their customs and idiosyncrasies. Indonesians usually took their evening meal early. Remembering that Seda was not a Moslem, the
Magrib
prayer period would not pose a problem. Christians, Moslems, Buddhists and Hindus alike all practised what was referred to as
jam karet
, or rubber time.

Appointments had to be flexible. The contradiction lay in the fact that for a foreigner to be late was considered disrespectful and inexcusable. It was late afternoon and, as the residents rose from their midday rest, the city began to stir for the second time that day. The former diplomat sped towards his destination as the sun disappeared for the day.

The driver turned into the driveway stopping briefly at the security post. Coleman identified the familiar Czech automatic machine pistols held by shoulder straps as the guards carefully scrutinized the driver and his foreign passenger. The Holden displayed CD-18 series number plates, indicating that the vehicle was an Australian diplomatic vehicle. Not that diplomatic privilege was something these well-trained troops would respect should they consider the occupants a threat to their General, the passenger reflected.

The army would never forget the loss of its generals some six years earlier when the abortive, and first of three coups commenced. Security was now extremely efficient. Just to raise one's hand in friendly gesture too close to one of these military leaders could possibly result in an aide shooting the offender dead. The attendance of senior ranking officers at functions was always marked by a certain atmosphere of apprehension.

 

Stephen was astounded at the size of the mansion. Obviously a new structure, the building occupied at least two thousand metres of land and was designed and constructed in a Mediterranean style. The entrance was surrounded by columns. The building was painted white with red terra-cotta tiles adding to the character of the overall design. Stephen was very impressed.

An aide appeared and ushered him into the splendid structure. As he entered, directly to the left of the foyer, two of the most magnificent creatures he'd ever seen strutted close by, their presence totally unexpected. The Birds of Paradise strolled in a natural setting where the late afternoon sun could strike their enclosed plate-glassed cage. A pond had been arranged simply so as not to detract from the natural beauty of the indigenous fauna in the enclosure.

The flora too was obvious, several rare varieties of black spotted orchids from Kalimantan being positioned above the artificial waterfall. The decor was pseudo-colonial, the emphasis on size. Twin marble columns on both sides of the reception area created the impression that the upper levels numbered more than were actually built. The walls were decorated with paintings of heroes with Diponegoro gracing one wall on his life-sized white stallion, his sword held menacingly as he screamed in still life at the enemy. Despite the power constraints placed on other households, a brilliant chandelier which hung ostentatiously in the centre of the room sparkled brightly, casting its own spell over the Persian rugs adorning the highly polished marble floor.

“
Silahkan masuk, tuan,
” the aide invited, and Stephen followed, conscious of his own awe at the wealth this residence represented. During his absence from the Capital many new and palatial houses had appeared along this avenue. The President's residence lay not more than four-hundred metres to the north.

This area of Menteng spreading from Jalan Teuku Umar down through Jalan Cendana, was always smothered with armed guards and armed personnel carriers. It represented an elitist suburb for the government and military
bapak-bapak
. There were practically no Chinese in this section of the suburb with the exception of one who was as regular in attendance at the palace as the President's own family. This man had become almost as important to the new government as it's own military support.

Many stories revolved around the little broker who had become wealthy as a direct result of his association with the Javanese who now occupied the Palace. Within a few years, his financial empire placed him as one of the wealthiest entrepreneurs in the world. Acting as the President's financial confidant, this man managed to develop his interests in association with the privileged few until emerging as the financial and manufacturing giant of the Republic.

The New Order was cognizant with the influence this man wielded over the Chinese community and, in consequence, over the entire non natural resources or energy sectors, for the Chinese were the shopkeepers, bankers and manufacturers who, through their
kongsi
arrangements, assisted the economy to survive. Stability was relatively unknown to the peoples of this vast country. Now, with the strength of the new government and it's foresight to introduce a series of Five Year Development Programs it appeared as if political and economic stability could become reality and not just dreams propounded by politicians.

Bitter animosity continued to exist between the Chinese and
pribumi
peoples of the archipelago. The government could not afford to be openly seen to be conducting business with the Chinese minority group. Freedom of the press was perfunctory at best whilst in reality, the government maintained the strictest controls over the media. Anti-government or even defamatory statements directed at senior individuals was considered to be subversive action and treated accordingly. Harshly. The ultimate deterrent, the death penalty, was imposed as an anti-subversive measure and was strictly applied to those who did not toe the line.

Coleman shuddered as he remembered he no longer had the protection of his government. Any indiscretion on the part of his former colleagues could jeopardize his fragile existence in this new environment. Coleman was aware that most foreign governments including his own continually maintained covert listening agencies throughout South East Asia. It was a fact of the times. The outside world was still highly critical and suspicious of this country which was quickly emerging, almost galloping, ahead of its other Asian neighbours. As to who would be recruited for the position he had forgone, Stephen Coleman really did not wish to know. It was imperative that he was seen to be and was, in fact, totally distanced from all government agencies which incredibly, as history has shown, managed to compromise their operatives with amazing regularity, leaving them to extricate themselves from dangerous situations which were, for the most part, not even of their own doing.

 

Coleman turned as his host appeared. The General entered the split-level guest area where his young visitor waited. Seda was dressed in an expensive hand-made long-sleeved
batik
shirt, cotton trousers and Bally casuals. He carried an air of power and, as he approached, his gait was that of a man of position, almost of royalty. He smiled benevolently at his guest. It was obvious that he was proud of his new residence.

He had done well since his former director had ‘passed away'. Seda's appointment to the vacant post had surprised most Jakarta observers as he was not of Javanese stock and also relatively junior within the military hierarchy. As to the secret of his continuing success, embassy circles whispered stories of how he had saved the Vice President from exposure over his unfortunate association with a former general who was still incarcerated on the infamous Buruh Island. Others in the know claimed that it was because his wife was related to the Chief of Staff. But those who thought they really understood the Timorese's swift rise to power claimed that their sources confirmed it was because of simple Indonesian logic, to promote the man most unsuited at the right time. How else would a relatively junior officer rise so quickly to such a prominent position?

Only a few who moved in palace circles knew he had been personally selected by the President as a direct result of substantial support from his own son, whose recommendations were a direct result of a new corporate relationship which Seda had recently developed. Within the short span of just a few years this arrangement with the Palace and the Japanese yielded untold millions into their offshore accounts in Singapore's newly created ACUs, or Asian Currency Units.

The Singapore banking fraternity had been first to identify the magnitude of hidden wealth in Indonesia and moved swiftly to provide secure and discreet storage for these funds through numbered accounts. Switzerland was too far away, too distant. Jakarta businessmen and other wealthy residents knew that they could not jump on a plane and fly to Geneva in just over one hour, physically sight their gold and cash then return home on the afternoon flight. To the simple yet wealthy corrupt officials, Singapore represented a safe haven, not just psychologically, but a practical one as well.

The sense of security knowing their money was just across the water, and that its secrecy was guaranteed by Singapore was sufficient to allay any fears they might have had. They believed that their offshore positions could never be challenged by any third party, including their own government. Funds could legally be transferred into a numbered interest bearing account into any one of the many prime banks operating in the Republic of Singapore. These funds would be jealously guarded by Singapore law, providing the account holders with complete security and, more importantly, anonymity should they so desire. And most did, out of necessity.

Within ten years these accounts had grown in volume to exceed thirty billion American dollars, most of which represented the result of corrupt deals or were just funds hidden from the taxation authorities. Singapore would eventually displace Switzerland as the world's safe haven for illicit funds.

The new premises, so admired by his guests, had cost the Director (Special Services) Intelligence Protocol, as he was officially designated, the equivalent of approximately one hundred years of his official salary. Nobody questioned his or others in his peer group, how they had acquired their sudden wealth. To do so would not just be foolish. It would be madness.

But in Indonesia corruption was such new stars were spawned by the day. Few were not involved and finger pointing was considered the conduct expected only of foreigners. It was apparent to Coleman that, as no other guests were yet evident, his invitation had been designed to permit his host the opportunity for a
tête-átête
and in style.

The General was trying to impress and Stephen was flattered. As the Timorese approached, Stephen could not help but feel how the man had grown, not physically, although there was more to him than before. It was something else. His posture. and self-assurance. The General moved with an air of confidence that had not been present when Stephen had first known him.

Seda greeted Coleman warmly. “
Apa kabar, Mas
,
you are looking well.
”

“T
erima kasih, Pak
.
And how are you and Madame Seda?
”

The older man just nodded his head as neither was genuinely interested in his wife's health, both recognizing the obvious opening courtesies required by custom before proceeding on to more important matters.

“
Please
,” he indicated, with all of his fingers extended, showing the guest where he expected him to be seated.

“
Pak Seda
,” Stephen began, “
firstly I wish to thank you for the invitation tonight. Also, I must apologize to Njonja Seda for not attending your earlier dinner party but, unfortunately, I did not receive your wife's invitation and was unable to attend. ”