Open debate on Bank Bali

Open debate on Bank Bali

From Media Indonesia

The management of the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency (IBRA) received its mandate from the people. Its role is to manage the state's assets acquired from problem-embroiled banks, including banks whose operations have been suspended and banks taken over by the government. IBRA is made up of professionals who have demonstrated their ability in their respective areas.

This is the reason why these people have been appointed by the government, in this case the finance ministry and Bank Indonesia. They are highly paid and enjoy excellent facilities -- all in accordance with international standards -- so that they may concentrate on completing their tasks.

However, now that the Bank Bali case has been exposed by Mr. Pradjoto, who heroically revealed the case to the public, as a layman I can only say that these people have indeed, in a very easy manner, belittled the mandate from the people. They have proved really disappointing. Their high salaries and excellent facilities have still not been a guarantee that they will work professionally. Haven't these people often claimed to belong to the group of the country's best professionals? Most of them are foreign graduates. Unfortunately, their quality is simply trashy.

In my opinion, to avoid a protracted and disgusting war-of- words, IBRA management, the finance minister or BI governor and also those allegedly involved in this case, like Setya Novanto, Joko S Tjandra and Mr. Pradjoto are invited to an open debate before interested university students, religious leaders and professionals to find out who is right and who is wrong. The open debate must be covered widely by print and electronic media. The problem now is who will organize the debate. If any of the above persons refuse to join the open debate, we may be sure that they are the robbers of the state's assets. Now a question for Mr. Anwar Nasution, who has entered a robbers' den: When will you take action to apprehend the robbers? The people are no longer patient.

ZULFIKRI ABOEBAKAR

Jakarta