Naman Kawi gets seven years' jail for bank fraud

JAKARTA (JP): All five defendants in the Bank Indonesia fraud case, which cost the bank Rp 7 billion (US$2.9 million), were sentenced to between two years' to seven years' imprisonment yesterday and Monday.

The case was tried at Central Jakarta District Court.

The heaviest sentence was handed down to Naman Kawi, the bank's former cashier section head.

Naman was sentenced Monday to seven years' imprisonment and was fined Rp 10 million, and was ordered to compensate Bank Indonesia, the central bank, Rp 500 million.

His accomplice, businessman Andi Muis was sentenced to five years' imprisonment, and was given a Rp 5 million fine or an additional two months' imprisonment. He was ordered to compensate the central bank Rp 150 million.

They were both found guilty of violating Article 34 of the 1971 Corruption Law.

Yesterday a businessman implicated in the fraud case, Roy Indra Kusnohadi, was sentenced to five years, and was given a Rp 5 million fine or two more months' imprisonment. The court ordered him to compensate the central bank Rp 196 million.

Roy was also found guilty of violating Article 34 of the Corruption Law.

Presiding Judge Sianipar said, "As a businessman with a bachelor's degree, the defendant should have known he was breaking the law." He also said the defendant had shown no remorse during the proceedings.

Early this month, prosecutor Uri Hasan Basri had asked the court to sentence Roy to nine years.

In a separate hearing, two bank employees were also sent to prison for their involvement.

Nasran Amar and Ayub Sutarya were found guilty of violating the 1971 Corruption Law and were sentenced to five years' and two years' imprisonment respectively.

Nasran was given a Rp 5 million fine or two months imprisonment, and was ordered to compensate the central bank Rp 500 million.

Ayub was given a Rp 2 million fine or two months' imprisonment, and was ordered to compensate the central bank Rp 150 million.

Early this week, prosecutor Petrus Sambara said Nasran was the one who provided a bank account to transfer the money into, from the central bank.

Ayub, then an administration section staff member, had given his password to Naman, which made the transfer possible.

The panel of judges said the employees' should have protected state property instead of stealing it.

Ayub got a lighter sentence because during the trials he had shown remorse, judges said, and because he was close to retirement.

Early this month Petrus Sambara asked the court to sentence Nasran to six years' imprisonment and be given a Rp 10 million fine or another three months' imprisonment, and compensate the central bank Rp 500 million.

He also asked the court to give Ayub three years' imprisonment and be given a Rp 2.5 million fine or one month of imprisonment, and compensate the central bank Rp 130 million.

Naman and Andi Muis immediately appealed to the High Court, while Ayub, Nasran and Roy requested additional time to consider whether to appeal or not. (12)