KPK to probe procurement graft in BNI<\/p>\n
Rendi A. Witular, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has requested the
\nSupreme Audit Agency (BPK) to conduct an investigative audit
\nconcerning alleged corruption in the procurement of goods at
\nstate-owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).<\/p>\n
KPK chairman Taufikurrahman Ruki said the audit would be
\nfocused primarily on the procurement and installation, since
\n2002, of information technology (IT) systems that reportedly cost
\nUS$98 million.<\/p>\n
\"We have reason to believe that corruption took place in the
\nprocurement and installation of IT systems in three state banks
\nbut our focus now is on BNI,\" he said during a joint press
\nbriefing with BPK officials, prosecutors and police on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Taufikkurahman, who is a former police general, said the
\ncommission had asked the BPK to conduct an investigative audit on
\nthe three state banks to gain sufficient evidence for
\nprosecution.<\/p>\n
\"Based on preliminary evidence, we have found indications of
\ncorruption. But we need more evidence to support our claims,\" he
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
BPK chairman Anwar Nasution said the agency was now preparing
\nfor its audit of the banks, the results of which, would be
\nsubmitted to the KPK.<\/p>\n
In response to the allegation, BNI president Sigit Pramono
\nsaid the bank would closely cooperate with the agencies to
\nuncover alleged corruption.<\/p>\n
Sigit, who became the bank's president in late 2003, said the
\nIT procurement and installation policy was made by the previous
\nmanagement in 2002, with a decision to allocate some $98 million
\nfor modernizing the bank's IT systems -- a project which is
\nscheduled to be completed in 2007.<\/p>\n
\"We will surely cooperate with the investigators in uncovering
\nthe case. We have also formed an internal investigative team
\nabout the matter. We will not cover it up,\" he said in a press
\nconference after the BNI's annual shareholders meeting.<\/p>\n
According to Sigit, when he first entered the bank, the
\nprevious management had spent some $60 million of the funds for
\nthe IT system to improve the bank's 930 branches throughout the
\ncountry.<\/p>\n
BNI's former president director Saefuddin Hasan, who initiated
\nand approved the IT system procurement and installation, argued
\nthat the decision was made by a special committee for services
\nand facilities.<\/p>\n
He, however, claimed he could not recall the amount of the
\nfunds allocated for the system nor any irregularities during the
\nprocurement or installation.<\/p>\n
\"I no longer remember the decision. You can ask Pak Sigit
\nabout that. The decision was approved by a committee and was
\nunder the responsibility of the previous IT director. I just
\ncan't remember,\" he reiterated.<\/p>\n
Saefuddin was dismissed by the government in late 2003
\nfollowing the revelation of a massive lending scam at the bank,
\nwhich cost the state some Rp 1.7 trillion ($180 million).
\nHowever, he was never prosecuted for any crime.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/kpk-to-probe-procurement-graft-in-bni-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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