Bob Hasan questioned over bank scam
JAKARTA (JP): Mohamad "Bob" Hasan, a close business associate of former president Soeharto, was formally named a suspect in an investigation into the misuse of central bank liquidity credits.
Hasan, 67, a plywood tycoon and owner of suspended PT Bank Umum Nasional (BUN), reported to National Police Headquarters at about 6 a.m. to undergo eight hours of questioning which started at 8 a.m.
Hasan appeared on Monday after failing to respond to two previous summonses, according to head of the National Police economic crimes unit, Col. Made Mangku Pastika.
"(Hasan's) lawyer said he was sick when the first summons (was issued) and the second coincided with his questioning at the Attorney General's Office," Made said.
The first summon was issued last month after police received dossiers from Bank Indonesia on several bankers.
Hasan, who was minister of trade and industry in Soeharto's last cabinet, was summoned as a suspect for alleged violations of the legal lending limit, Made said.
Made, however, said it would not be necessary to detain Hasan.
"We're sure that Pak Bob won't leave the country. One obvious reason is his health condition," said Made.
After 10 hours of questioning by the Attorney General's Office last week, Hasan admitted he had used central bank credits to fund other businesses, including many associated with his pulp and paper plant, PT Kiani Kertas.
He also said the government could seize his assets if it wanted to.
"If they want to take everything I have, I'll give it all to them," said Hasan.
Bank Indonesia had injected a total of Rp 141.52 trillion into 14 troubled banks as of April 3. Hasan's bank received Rp 6.63 trillion.
Hasan, Soeharto's long-time golfing buddy, said he had already repaid more than Rp 1 trillion to the government.
"We paid (the amount) before IBRA (Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency) summoned us," Hasan said, without giving a specific date.
"I will let go of PT Kiani Kertas, which is worth US$1.5 million, and other companies if necessary," he told reporters after the questioning.
The government recently set a Sept. 21 deadline for troubled banks to repay liquidity credits to the central bank. IBRA has been given the authority to seize bank owners' private assets if the banks fail to meet the deadline.
Separately, Soeharto's cousin Sudwikatmono was also questioned at the Attorney General's Office on Monday over problematic liquidity credits injected into his Bank Surya, which was suspended last April. Sudwikatmono was also the boss of Bank Subentra.
"We're trying to repay the liquidity credits with our assets, such as land and apartments," Sudwikatmono said after his questioning, which lasted seven hours.
Bank Surya received more than Rp 1 trillion in liquidity credits.
Sudwikatmono's lawyer, Deny Kailimang, said it was the bank's deputy commissioner, Bambang Sutrisno, who should be held responsible for any mismanagement.
"But Bambang disappeared July last year," Deny said.
Minister of Justice Muladi said last week that authorities had tightened security at Halim Perdanakusuma Airport in East Jakarta where some bankers keep private planes, fearing they might try to flee abroad. (emf/byg)