BI governor's promise

I would like to remind Bank Indonesia (BI) Governor Syahril Sabirin of his promise made before House of Representatives Commission IX on Nov. 23, 1999. He promised that all members of the BI governor's council would "immediately" report their wealth" (Kompas, Nov. 24, 1999).

The key word here is "immediately". But this word can mean more than six months. This may be because their wealth is so excessive that it would take a lot of time to enter each item on the list. The fact that not a single member of the council has announced his/her wealth, including Mr. Anwar Nasution, who, before his appointment as BI deputy governor, was very critical of malpractice in the central bank. This can be taken to mean that those members of the council have abused Law No. 28/1999.

In fact, being a member of the BI council is a lucrative position and thus vulnerable to the temptation of corruption, collusion and nepotism. That is why the BI governor should immediately announce his wealth, if he refuses to step down despite his present status as a suspect in a criminal case. He should not use the law giving BI independence as an excuse to retain his position as BI governor, while abusing Law No. 28/1999.

I also would like to appeal to Ms. Miranda Gultom, Mr. Anwar Nasution and other members of the BI council not to comment too much on the case of the BI governor, while hiding behind the law on the central bank's independence to delay the responsibility of announcing their wealth. How can you remain in such an honorable position with the central bank if you do not have the political will to announce your wealth, which is demanded by Law No. 28/1999?

H. WISDARMANTO GS

Jakarta