TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Former Military Commander, Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo revealed his close relationship with businessman and Artha Graha Group owner Tomy Winata and chooses not to focus on the public opinion that belittles this fact.

“People say that I have a close relationship with Tomy Winata. That’s true. I will never be ashamed of that because I personally know his commitment,” said Gatot during his visit to Tempo’s office in Jakarta on Tuesday, March 27.

Read: PKS: Gatot Nurmantyo Must Begin to Approach Political Parties

Gatot described their relationship. “Obviously, I never owe him [money], I never ask him anything,” he explained.

Gatot revealed that his relationship with Tomy started in 1997 when Artha Graha Bank acquired Arta Prima Bank, which was then rebranded to Pratama Bank. Gatot was the Secretary Commissioner of Artha Graha Bank.

“I know what’s going on inside the company. I was the one who handled the activation up until the last moments before both companies became a single entity,” said Gatot Nurmantyo.

Tomy also shared the same sentiment and told a story when he invited Gatot to the Tambling Wildlife Nature Conservation at the West Coast of Lampung, to release a tiger cub into the wild.

Read: Gatot Nurmantyo Says to Beat Jokowi in Spending Time with Family

“Gatot was there as a friend of mine,” said Tomy in an article published by Tempo Magazine April 2-8 edition.

The close relationship between Tomy Winata and Gatot Nurmantyo fueled the speculation of Tomy becoming the financial backing for Gatot Nurmantyo to run in the 2019 Presidential Election. However, Gatot said that he is unaware of such a speculation.

ARKHELAUS W.