Maman presents personal defense in fraud trial

JAKARTA (JP): Maman Suparman, a former deputy manager of Bapindo's Jakarta branch, yesterday testified as to the sources of his wealth and assets, denying that he took bribes from defendant tycoon Eddy Tansil.

Maman was presenting his defense in a court which is trying him for his role in the Rp 1.3 trillion (US$620 million) corruption case at Bank Pembangunan Indonesia (Bapindo).

Maman said he obtained his fortune from his savings, including official trip allowances, as well as from stock and foreign exchange transactions.

According to Maman, his savings and business dealings netted him a total of Rp 423 million ($197,000) between 1984 and 1993.

He said that he spent the money on a Rp 365 million ($169,000) house in an exclusive residential area in Pulomas, East Jakarta, in 1991 and an additional Rp 50 million to refurbish another house.

Maman is charged with colluding with Eddy Tansil, the owner of the Golden Key Group, in allowing the latter to defraud Bapindo of US$448 million.

Government prosecutors said that Maman received Rp 201 million (US$93,488) from Tansil in return for changing some of the terms of loan contracts in violation of standard banking practices. The prosecution claims Maman was directly responsible for $174 million that Bapindo paid out to Tansil.

Maman is being charged under the 1971 anti-corruption law which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

His trial is now reaching its closing stages and yesterday the court heard his final defense statement, with his lawyers scheduled to present their closing defense today.

Maman also testified that he communicated every single transaction in connection with Tansil's loans to the head office.

Meanwhile, the panel of judges in Central Jakarta District Court yesterday rejected the private bank's former managing director Laksamana Sukardi from testifying in support of Tansil.

The court decided to replace him with Syahrir, a noted economist.

The trial was adjourned until next Thursday when the court will hold a session at Tansil's huge petrochemical project in Cilegon, West Java. (05)