BI governor need not be groggy

BI governor need not be groggy

From Suara Karya

News about the replacement of Bank Indonesia Governor Sjahril
Sabirin has reached the community. Newspapers in the capital even
said that President Abdurrahman, also known as Gus Dur, had told
the House of Representatives it was possible that Sjahril would
be replaced if the audit of Bank Indonesia (BI) indicated
infringement of rules or functional crimes.

There is actually nothing special in the news or in the
President's statement. It can apply to any state functionary. If
the policies or the deeds of a functionary are detrimental to the
state, it stands to reason that the incumbent is replaced.

Sjahril's statement on Channel News/Asia of Singapore
Television on Jan. 11 was not necessary. The BI governor should
have responded quietly to the news. There was no need to make
statements to the media abroad.

If Sjahril Sabirin as Bank Indonesia governor was on the right
track, why should he be in doubt and groggy? He went as far as
explaining to the media that his term of four years was protected
by Law No.23 of 1999 on Bank Indonesia. Any Indonesian citizen
conversant with the law certainly knows about this matter. It
does not mean, however, that if there is an error in policy with
an indication of crime he cannot be replaced during his four-year
tenure.

In Article 48 of Law No.23/1999, it is clearly mentioned that
members of the governor's council cannot be dismissed during
their term of office except if the incumbent resigns, is proven
to have committed a crime or is permanently unable to continue
his work.

If Sjahril feels he has not committed any of the things
mentioned in the exception of said Article 48, why did he issue a
statement to the foreign media? He should remain quiet and
continue to work hard. He should remember that truth will
triumph. He should not become groggy and stop working until
stability of the national economy is attained.

FELIX HASIHOLAN

Jakarta