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