Bank fraud suspect upset with prosecutor

JAKARTA (JP): A former bank employee, who had returned a good part of the money he allegedly embezzled, became upset during a hearing yesterday when the prosecutor demanded a nine-year jail term.

Naman Kawi, who was dismissed from his position as head of Bank Indonesia's cashier section, was charged with embezzling Rp 7 billion (US$2.9 million) in February together with four accomplices.

Lawyer Gestiawati said Naman had returned 90 percent of Rp 4 billion, the sum he had received in the transfer documents forgery scheme.

Prosecutor Sujitno told the Central Jakarta District Court: "His crime has marred the image of the central bank."

The prosecutor also asked that he pay a Rp 10 million fine, or face three months' imprisonment, and pay Bank Indonesia Rp 550 million in compensation.

Naman, who looked distracted after the court session, was pacified by Gestiawati, who told him that the sentence demand was not the final verdict.

Naman's alleged accomplices, businessmen Andi Muis and Roy Indra Kusnohadi were tried separately at the same court yesterday. The prosecutor demanded Andi be sentenced to seven years imprisonment and pay a Rp 5 million, or face two months' imprisonment and compensate Bank Indonesia Rp 150 million.

Andi who attended the court using a crutch looked unwell.

At a separate trial, the presiding judge, P.A. Sianipar, was asked to sentence Roy to nine years' imprisonment.

Two other defendants, Nasran Amar and Ayub Sutarya, who were also employees of the central bank, were tried at the same court Wednesday.

Prosecutor Petrus Sambara demanded that Nasran get six years' imprisonment and Ayub three years' imprisonment.

The court revealed Naman forged transfer documents in July 1996 taking advantage of a defect in the bank's account system.

Naman used Ayub's password to make an illegal transfer from the central bank to a fictitious account at PT Aseam Indonesia Bank, one of the central bank's client.

Naman asked Nasran to find someone with an account at the bank who could be used as a recipient of the transferred money.

Naman and Andi's trial was adjourned until June 19, while Roy's was adjourned until June 18. (03)