Bankers or robbers?

Bankers or robbers?

There is a general impression that investigators have been
dragging their feet in their probe into the embezzlement of state
funds. Police and public prosecutors have yet to really indicate
just how far they have come in investigating three Bank Indonesia
directors fired while former president Soeharto was in office for
allegedly misappropriating credits in conspiracy with a number of
banks.

Considering today's legal apparatus and the rampant practice
of collusion and corruption uncovered in the government lately,
we suspect that more conspiracies are behind the authorities'
apparent reluctance to seriously investigate such banking cases.
Deliberate delays such as this usually mean that some high-
ranking official is involved.

Now, after much public pressure, law enforcement officials
have finally surrendered nine bankers to the police for
investigation of suspected banking crimes. Although this is a
promising development, many others have managed to flee abroad
because of the authorities' foot dragging.

The courage to surrender nine bankers to the police is a good
step forward toward enforcing the law and repairing the good name
of the law enforcement apparatus. However, the investigations
must not stop at those who are still in office. Former officials
must also not be allowed to escape the arm of the law.

-- Media Indonesia, Jakarta