Police seek evidence in BNI scam

JAKARTA: Police are collecting more evidence on the role of several officials of state-owned BNI bank in the Rp 1.7 trillion (US$200 billion) BNI scam.

National Police deputy spokesperson Brig. Gen. Soenarko said the police were still focusing on the probe into Edi Santoso, a former BNI Kebayoran Baru branch foreign customers head, Kusadiyuwono, a former manager of the same branch, and Nirwan Ali, former head of the foreign customers division in the same branch.

"We expect to name more suspects in the case in addition to the current 16," said Soenarko. "The investigation is still underway and progress has been made,"

The scandal occurred at BNI's Kebayoran Baru branch in South Jakarta from July 2002 through June 2003.

Police have so far failed to arrest the main suspect, businesswoman Maria Lumowa, who has fled to Singapore. Indonesia and its Southeast Asian neighbor have no extradition treaty. -- JP