Presumption of guilt for bank looters

Once again, we have to contain our fury with the disclosure of the Texmaco scandal. Meanwhile, in the Bank Bali affair, the authorities have not succeeded in jailing any of the wrongdoers.

One bank scandal after another will emerge because cases similar to Texmaco, Bank Bali and Bapindo have certainly taken place at other banks, including the private banks in which Bank Indonesia has shares.

It is hoped that ministers will take the example of their colleague, Laksamana Sukardi, who in a relatively short time managed to unveil the Texmaco case. The previous government should have exposed the dubious actions.

Ministers should create a conducive climate to reveal other cases involving banks, as well as examples of private corruption like the Andi Ghalib case, by introducing a post box for complaints. They should protect the safety of a complainant and, if possible, rewards if a complainant's report proves true.

Because state-owned banks under the previous governments were the most comfortable places for the "looters of public money" wearing masks of members of the board of directors, entrepreneurs, government officials and their cronies, it is unjust and painful for the majority of the people if the authorities still allow the bandits to enjoy their lives in a free world as they spend their booty in merry abandonment.

In line with Bank Mandiri managing director Robby Djohan's statement of his hope for an investigation of the former directors of Bank Bumi Daya, Bank Dagang Negara, Bank Exim and Bapindo who triggered the collapse of the four banks, I urge the law enforcers to propose the implementation of the principle of "presumption of guilt" for former members of the board of directors (both government and private banks), officials at the Ministry of Finance and other related ministries so they can be detained immediately, except if they can justify the origin of their wealth.

Without the principle of "presumption of guilt", it is doubtful if the law enforcers will succeed in capturing the evil corruptors, because the "presumption of innocence" has many weaknesses.

Again, I appeal to the law enforcers to solve the problems of huge corruption cases. Slowness in their action will generate the ire of the people who will take things into their own hands and create anarchy by torturing and burning alive the culprits. The authorities should move rapidly and seize the corruptors, indicting them by virtue of the "presumption of guilt". The people will definitely give their full support to such a firm action.

H. WISDARMANTO

Jakarta