House endorses Aulia as new BI deputy governor

JAKARTA (JP): The House of Representatives unanimously approved the reappointment of Aulia Pohan as deputy governor of the central bank in a plenary session on Wednesday, despite protests from employees, including several deputy governors, of Bank Indonesia itself.

The decision was made through a vote after legislators disagreed with an earlier assertion made by House Commission IX for budget and finance to approve the reelection of Aulia.

Commission IX had picked Aulia last week out of two other candidates -- Bank Indonesia senior officials Burhanuddin Abdullah and Cyrillus Harinowo -- who were nominated by Bank Indonesia's governor Sjahril Sabirin for the new deputy governor positions.

Wednesday's vote resulted in 217 legislators choosing to endorse the House Commission IX's selection of Aulia as against 42 legislators rejecting it, with four abstaining.

House Speaker Akbar Tandjung said after the plenary meeting that the selection of Aulia was final and had been made in a transparent and correct manner, including a fit and proper test.

The test found Aulia had a good track record, he said, adding that the House had taken into consideration the aspirations of certain people who opposed the reappointment of Aulia during the selection process.

"As far as we are concerned, any other opposition to Aulia coming from employees of Bank Indonesia will be the bank's problem, not ours," Akbar said.

Hundreds of Bank Indonesia employees have protested the House's support of Aulia's reappointment.

The employees have said Aulia was not suitable for the position because his strong connections to the Golkar Party -- the political machine of former president Soeharto -- would likely influence his views and policies and thus affect the central bank's independency and performance.

The employees have also alleged that Aulia created a clique and intimidated other staffers at the central bank during his term there.

Aulia is currently serving as one of the bank's deputy governors. His term is due to start next month.

Aulia will take over the position from Iwan R. Prawiranata, who will end his term in April. (cst)