Astro All Asia Networks Plc, the Malaysia-based investment holding and media company that operates pay-television services, has filed a notice of arbitration against a number of companies under the Lippo Group.

Astro filed the arbitration with the Singapore International Arbitration Center Monday to help recover 905 million ringgit (US$245 million).

In a media statement, Astro said the figure represented “the value of support and services that the Astro Group has provided to PT Direct Vision (DV) for use in its pay-TV operations in Indonesia.”.

DV — which is 49 percent owned by PT Ayunda Prima Mitra (APM), a Lippo Group subsidiary through PT First Media (FM) — is the local operator with which Astro cooperated to provide services for Indonesia’s subscribers.

In an announcement filed with Bursa Malaysia (the Malaysian stock exchange), Astro said a Subscription and Shareholders Agreement dated 11 March 2005 was entered into between certain Astro affiliates and APM, FM and DV in relation to the Indonesian venture.

“In anticipation of the completion of the joint venture, Astro provided certain services and expended monies towards the operational requirements of PT DV,” Astro said in the announcement.

However, a dispute then surfaced over the role of respective parties and despite various attempts, the parties failed to complete the joint venture.

Astro decided to terminate its contract with DV over allegations that the latter failed to pay a $245 million bill.

In response to the arbitration filed by Astro, DV senior president for corporate affairs Halim Mahfudz, said his company would not be involved in “shareholders’ matters.” – Mustaqim Adamrah