Bob Hasan questioned over bank scam

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)