Ex-bank teller testifies in tears

JAKARTA (JP): Tears rolled down the face of a former Bank Aspac teller who was testifying in the trial of her former boss on Thursday as the presiding judges severely warned the witness.

Judge M. Ritonga of the South Jakarta District Court warned Eti Haryono repeatedly as she answered "I don't know" to many of the questions posed by the judges.

The court is trying former deputy president of Bank Aspac, Hendrawan Haryono, who is accused of abusing Rp 538.4 billion (US$5.6 million) of government liquidity support funds it received between February 1998 and February 1999.

Another judge IDG Putra Yadnya told Eti in no uncertain terms that she must tell truth.

Eti admitted that Bank Aspac received government liquidity support funds, which were disbursed as guarantee schemes for banks faced with a bank rush. She said that Bank Aspac couldn't handle the rush which hit the bank at the time.

She told the court she didn't know whether Bank Aspac had any savings in Singapore nor did she know the situation regarding the bank's overall balance.(01)