Banking scandal taints Golkar<\/p>\n
JAKARTA (JP): The Rp 1.3 trillion ($620 million) scandal
\nsurrounding the government-owned Bank Pembangunan Indonesia
\n(Bapindo) has tainted the public image of Golkar, the ruling
\npolitical organization, its chairman Harmoko concedes.<\/p>\n
Golkar is insisting that the case be solved thoroughly and
\nthat everyone involved be punished according to the law, Harmoko
\nsaid as reported by the Antara news agency yesterday.<\/p>\n
\"We cannot afford to let Golkar's image be ruined and tainted
\nby its cadres who are now in the government,\" Harmoko said in his
\nmost critical statement about the Bapindo scandal to date.<\/p>\n
\"I don't wish to name names in this corruption case at
\nBapindo,\" he said, \"but the case, involving officials of the
\ngovernment, has damaged the public trust. Their behavior no
\nlonger satisfies the commitment to Golkar's big family. This must
\nbe eliminated.\"<\/p>\n
All senior government officials are functionaries of Golkar
\nwho don the group's yellow T-shirts and mobilize their staff
\nduring general elections. Harmoko also serves as Minister of
\nInformation.<\/p>\n
The Bapindo scandal has implicated not only the directors of
\nthe government bank, but also a number of senior government
\nofficials, most notably Sudomo, formerly coordinating minister of
\npolitical affairs and security and now the chairman of the
\nSupreme Advisory Council.<\/p>\n
Other officials implicated include J.B. Sumarlin, Nasrudin
\nSumintapura and Adrianus Mooy, respectively the Minister of
\nFinance, junior minister of finance and central bank governor.
\nSumarlin is now chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency.<\/p>\n
The Attorney General's office has arrested Eddy Tansil, owner
\nof the Golden Key Group to whom the Bapindo loans were issued,
\nand three of the bank's executives. At least two of them will be
\ntried this month.<\/p>\n
Officials said they did not rule out the possibility of future
\narrests pending the results of the current investigation.<\/p>\n
Attorney General Singgih, responding to questions, told
\nreporters yesterday that he did not foresee any protocol problems
\nin questioning Sudomo and Sumarlin despite their positions as
\nhead of high state institutions.<\/p>\n
It had been suggested that the Attorney General must receive
\npermission from President Soeharto before questioning either
\nSudomo or Sumarlin. Others have called for Sudomo's resignation
\nor that he take a leave of absence to facilitate the official
\ninvestigation.<\/p>\n
Singgih said his office possessed the authority to question
\nthe officials. (emb\/02)<\/p>",
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