Bank Indonesia keeping quiet on blocked account
Bank Indonesia keeping quiet on blocked account
JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor J. Soedradjad Djiwandono
has yet to comment on the freezing of an account containing Rp 1
billion (US$45 million) by Standard Chartered Bank.
"I don't want this (case) to be a polemic in the media," the
governor told reporters yesterday in response to a question
raised by The Jakarta Post.
"This is a sensitive problem. That's why I don't want to make
any statement which, of course, is awaited by the disputed
parties," Soedradjad said.
It is the first time the governor has commented on the issue
after being directed not to pending the outcome of the court
case.
The dispute between the foreign bank and the two account
holders, Yee Mei Mei and Azusa Matsuyama, started in January when
the bank blocked the account.
The bank argued that it froze the account following a
suggestion from Bank Indonesia and because of its own prudent
policy.
Mei Mei, a Hong Kong national, then filed a lawsuit against
the bank for allegedly blocking the account without
justification.
In the lawsuit she claimed damages of US$300 million to cover
losses she claimed she suffered during the dispute.
On March 5, the Standard Chartered chief executive here, David
Hawkins, wrote a letter to the account holders suggesting an out-
of-court settlement in which accessibility to the account would
be restored on condition that the bank receive written
confirmation that the account owners had withdrawn all charges
against the bank, both over the funds in the account and the way
in which the account was operated, and provided that they
withdraw their case.
The proposal was warmly welcomed by Mei Mei, who stipulated
that the bank must also restore her name and pay a certain amount
of money in reimbursement for material losses.
According to Soedradjad, "basically, Bank Indonesia wants to
help banks here carry out their prudent principals, whether
related to financial condition, management or transaction
activities."
The central bank, therefore, supports the prudent policies of
foreign and joint venture banks here, he said.
"It's the duty of Bank Indonesia to support the right
(parties)," said Soedradjad.
Last month, head of the central bank's enforcement division,
Nur Harun, was quoted as saying by a foreign paper that the bank
had not authorize Standard Chartered to freeze the account.
Last week, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Nurfaizi said
that officers of the central bank also denied ever giving
permission to Standard Chartered to block the account.
When contacted yesterday, Nurfaizi said that the investigation
of the dispute is still underway. (bsr/hen)