Police to summon Nirwan over bank deal

BOGOR (JP): Police will summon Nirwan Bakrie, chairman of the widely diversified Bakrie Group, for questioning in relation to an ongoing investigation of a Rp 900 billion scam at Bank Perniagaan, an official said Saturday.

Deputy chief of the city police detectives' unit, Lt. Col. Bakat Purwanto, said after a cadet school graduation at Lido, Bogor, that besides Nirwan, police were also planning to summon four other people in connection with the case.

"Just wait for the report." he said.

"As for Nirwan, the police only want to clarify his role, as he was said to have bought a great deal of Bank Perniagaan shares," Bakat said.

Nirwan reportedly bought Bank Perniagaan shares worth billions of rupiah some time ago, the officer said.

Bakat would not name the four other people to be summoned and gave no dates for when Nirwan and the others would be questioned.

Last year's scam has become more intriguing following the questionable death of the bank's former commissioner Hindoro Halim on June 15.

Hindoro, who reportedly fell to his death from his eighth- floor room at Hotel Marbela, Anyer, West Jakarta, was allegedly involved in the scam.

His death then sparked controversy because as the media tried to learn the truth about his death, Hindoro's family refused to talk to reporters.

Police said Friday that they would continue the investigation of the bank swindle despite Hindoro's death.

"Adityo Halim (Hindoro's brother) has now officially become a suspect in the bank scam as there is strong evidence which points to his involvement," Bakat said.

Nirwan was quoted by a local daily as having denied his involvement in the case.

"I think there are some parties who want to put me in a corner. They create images as if I was involved in the bank scam," he said.

City Police chief Maj. Gen. Noegroho Djajoesman, in Lido on Saturday, asked the media not to put Nirwan in a difficult situation.

"You have to respect his rights, too. We just need him for questioning.

"Remember, he is innocent until proven guilty," Noegroho said.

Meanwhile, Hindoro was finally buried Saturday, at Gunung Sindur Cemetery, Bogor, after his family postponed the funeral several times.

The funeral was held amid tight security from the family's bodyguards, with journalists banned from attending the funeral.

His body was taken from Atmajaya Funeral Home in North Jakarta and buried at 10 a.m., with only his closest relatives present. (edt)