Election of BI governor

Election of BI governor

From Media Indonesia

For the first time in the history of the central bank, Bank
Indonesia (BI), its governor will be elected on the basis of an
agreement between the government and the House of
Representatives. The election process is based on the new Law No.
23/1999 on Bank Indonesia. Clearly, all this shows that Bank
Indonesia is an independent state institution free from any
intervention from the government or any political parties.

On Feb. 17, 2003, President Megawati Soekarnoputri submitted
to the House the names of three candidates: Miranda S. Goeltom,
presently deputy BI governor, Burhanuddin Abdullah, former
coordinating minister for the economy, and Cyrillus Harinowo, a
former BI high-ranking officer. Law No. 23/1999 stipulates that
the president must submit three to five candidates to the House
three months prior to the end of the incumbent BI governor's
tenure. Present BI governor Syahril Sabirin's tenure will end on
May 17, 2003.

The election of a new BI governor is an ordinary process, but
because this position is strategically important, the election
process must not be politicized.

We need a BI governor with a good track record and integrity
to ensure that BI can maintain its independent position. A BI
governor with these qualifications will help pull the country out
of the protracted economic crisis and help create sound monetary
policies.

If this election process can take place smoothly, it will go a
long way toward solving the country's big problems, particularly
in the economic sector.

SYAHRUL ALI
Jakarta