Arrest and try BI officials
The results are in on an investigation carried out by the Development Finance Comptroller (BPKP), which was probing a total Rp 106 trillion of Bank Indonesian Liquidity Support (BLBI) recorded as of Jan. 31, 2000.
The investigation revealed that more than half, or about Rp 54.5 trillion, was channeled to 10 banks, which had their operations suspended, and to 32 others whose business activities were suspended. This action belongs in the category of manipulation with indications of corruption and crime.
Therefore, it is only right that the government, the chief of the National Police and the attorney general immediately arrest Bank Indonesia officials (and former officials) involved in corruption (and bank crimes) as well as those bank owners and management who have enjoyed the BLBI facilities.
Also the government must revoke, or at least revise, the Central Bank Law as it tends to hamper the work of the internal audit body in tracing BLBI funds channeled to several national private banks.
Trillions of rupiah is no small amount. In fact, the government could spend those trillions of rupiah to settle the conflicts in Ambon/Maluku, Aceh and so forth. And the government could also fork out several trillions of rupiah to stimulate the economy, intensify the agroindustry and many other things.
In addition, it is the heavily corrupted morality of Bank Indonesia officials (and former officials) which is responsible for the channeling of hundreds of trillions of rupiah into the pockets of bankers.
Worse still, as the comptroller has reported, various important documents needed as evidence have been missing or have intentionally been lost with the result that BPKP has been seriously obstructed in tracing (auditing) the use of the BLBI funds. It is very clear that these bankers have criminal intentions (by losing the material evidence) in an attempt to free themselves from all obligations and we must demand the return of BLBI funds that they manipulated.
Keep up the struggle, Mr. Satrio B. Joedono, chairman of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and Mr. Arie Sulendro, chairman of BPKP. The entire people support you both as your agencies have shown a patriotic performance. We are now waiting for President Abdurrahman Wahid, National Police chief Rusdihardjo and Attorney General Marzuki Darusman to do the same. We will see if they are really willing to arrest corruptors, who may be regarded as national traitors, or if they will be hand in glove with the corrupt business tycoons.
RACHMAT BASOEKI SOEROPRANOTO
Coordinator of FAKtor
Front Against Corrupt Business Tycoons
Jakarta