12 more questioned in BI graft probe

JAKARTA (JP): The police investigation into alleged acts of corruption committed by three former directors of Bank Indonesia (BI) continued yesterday -- after a two-day break over New Year's holiday -- with the questioning of experts and BI staff.

The head of Jakarta Police Detectives, Col. Gories Mere, said that new information was collected during questioning sessions with 12 people.

"The first six are staff and executives from the central bank and the rest are experts in economics and law."

Gories declined to identify the interviewees, and sources in the detectives department remained tight-lipped.

Reporters were even prohibited from getting a closer look at the detectives' rooms on the first floor of the main building at Jakarta Police Headquarters.

The department had earlier interrogated the three former BI directors -- Hendrobudiyanto, former director of private foreign exchange supervision; Paul Soetopo Tjokronegoro, former director of market operations; and Heru Soepraptomo, former director of legal affairs.

The head of economic affairs for National Police Detectives Corps, Col. Made Mangku Pastika, said earlier this week that the three suspects were being investigated for their alleged involvement in improper loans granted to five troubled private banks: Bank Arta Prima, Bank Perniagaan, Bank Asta, Bank Citra and Bank Dwipa, all located in Jakarta.

Thirty-five people, mostly former executives of the banks and former BI staff and executives, have been named suspects, Made said.

"Those people were involved in swindling a total of Rp 1.95 trillion (US$390 million) in the form of loans and issuing -- among others -- commercial papers and deposits."

The three former BI directors were also questioned yesterday for the fourth time.

But the results of the questioning were not available.

"Since I am still on leave, I can't exactly say when and how long the sessions were held," Amir Syamsuddin, the lawyer of the three, told The Jakarta Post last night.

Amir even said that he had no idea about the police allegations regarding his clients' involvement in improper loans allegedly granted to the five ailing banks.

The three suspects, together with the former director for supervision of private non-foreign exchange banks, Mansjurdin Nurdin, were honorably discharged under a presidential decree dated Dec. 20.

Reports earlier said Mansjurdin was also on the police list to be questioned for his alleged role in the crimes.

But a police source, who asked for anonymity, said early this week that the Jakarta Police have never summoned Mansjurdin.

Like many top bankers in this country, Mansjurdin could not be reached for comment. Some say that he is in Australia on a trip. (cst)