While detailing his life story since the time of his graduation from the Military Academy in Magelang, Central Java, in 1982, 58-year-old Gatot Nurmantyo openly named his closest friend: Tomy Winata. "My friendship with him surpasses other (friendships)," he said at Tempo's headquarters last week.

The two were introduced by Edi Sudrajat. Gatot had graduated from the military academy only six months earlier and had become an adjutant to Edi, who wa