IBRA officialy unveils Ombudsman Commission

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) officially launched on Monday its Ombudsman Commission as part of the effort to ensure good corporate governance at the agency.

The five-member commission, chaired by former Bali Police chief Gunawan, consists of economists Sri Adiningsih and Didik Rachbini, legal expert Pradjoto and banker I Nyoman Moena.

"There's a perception that the performance of IBRA is far from satisfying," Gunawan told a news conference.

"Our main duty is to ensure that there will be no abuse of power at IBRA," added Pradjoto, who is chiefly known as the whistle-blower in the Bank Bali scandal last year.

Pradjoto said that if IBRA did not follow up the recommendations issued by the ombudsman in that particular case, the commission would disclose the information to the public.

The Ombudsman Commission was formed in March by IBRA chairman Cacuk Sudarijanto.

Gunawan assured the commission would be independent.

He said the commission had received 10 letters, including eight complaints and two job applications.

"We will follow up these complaints," Gunawan said.

IBRA controls over Rp 600 trillion worth of various bank assets, which is equivalent to about 50 percent of the country's gross domestic product.

The agency has to sell or recover the assets in a bid to help in the economy's recovery from the crisis.

Many parties, including the International Monetary Fund, have criticized the lack of transparency at IBRA.

Critics said a new watchdog must be set up in addition to the existing Independent Review Committee.

Asked if the ombudsman would investigate public concern about the role of President Abudurrahman Wahid's brother Hasyim Wahid at the agency, Sri Adiningsih said the ombudsman did not have the authority to intervene, except if there was preliminary evidence Hasyim was involved in wrongdoing.

"Our authority is limited," she said.

She added that IBRA's chairman and even the President himself must give clarification about the role of Hasyim at the agency to help maintain the country's image.

"People can see this as a new case of corruption, collusion and nepotism," she said.

Gunawan said the public could send complaints or reports to the ombudsman at P.O. Box 7000, Jakarta 10070, toll free facsimile 0-800-1500-500 or e-mail: aduan@bppn.go.id.(rei)