Hashim says IBRA's statement `misleading'

Hashim says IBRA's statement `misleading'

JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Hashim S. Djojohadikusumo regretted
on Thursday the threat of a senior official from the Indonesian
Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) to take legal action against him
if he failed to settle the obligations of two of his closed
banks.

Hashim said the IBRA official had not been involved in the
discussion to settle the debts of Bank Pelita and Bank
Istismarat.

"As far as we know, Dasa Sutantio has never been involved in
discussions and negotiations about these two banks, which were
carried out with another officer from IBRA," he said in a press
statement, referring to the group head of the asset management
investment unit at IBRA.

Dasa said on Tuesday that IBRA would take legal action in
January against Hashim if he failed to repay the obligations to
the two banks.

Bank Pelita and Bank Istismarat received some Rp 3.2 trillion
in government liquidity support last year as the economic crisis
deepened.

"The process of settling debts of Bank Pelita and Bank
Istismarat is still ongoing," Hashim said.

"These two banks have always fulfilled documentation
requirements, as well as a letter of commitment, as requested by
IBRA.

"Moreover, discussions have reached the agreed principal
timetable. This should be agreed by both sides, in order to
settle debts incurred for Bank Pelita and Bank Istismarat."

Hashim is the owner of the diversified Tirtamas Group.

General Manager for Tirtamas corporate relations Jannus
Hutapea said Hashim never refused settling the debts of the two
banks.

"He has even signed a letter stating that all the shareholders
of the two banks are willing to settle their obligations to IBRA,
based on mutual agreement," he said.

"Hashim is now out of the country, and will return at the end
of the week to meet with appropriate officials to correct the
misleading report by Dasa Sutantio." (rei)