Sjahril has been sentenced, but what about the others?

Governor of Bank Indonesia Sjahril Sabirin was finally sentenced to three years in jail and fined Rp 15 million or a further three months in jail by the panel of judges at Central Jakarta District Court. He was found guilty of committing corruption in the disbursement of Bank Bali's claim for Rp 904.5 billion.

The panel of judges is considered courageous in its ruling, as the case involves someone currently holding a position equivalent to that of a minister. The panel of judges has demonstrated its courage to break through the psychological barrier hampering them when taking legal decisions in the face of the powers that be.

We hope that Sjahril got the sentence yesterday not because he was not in fortune's favor but because the verdict was based on thorough legal investigation. One thing that we cannot forget is the intervention of the then administration of Abdurrahman Wahid. Wahid made a controversial offer; either Sjahril stepped down from office or he remained in his position but was made a suspect.

Sjahril, out of his strong convictions, opted not to resign from his office, was finally made a suspect. He has been convicted but is now filing an appeal. Perhaps, he has not committed any corruption to enrich himself but, as a regulator, he was not prudent enough in handling matters pertaining to Bank Bali's claim.

The problem is that now Sjahril has been given a jail sentence, what about the other suspects? Shouldn't this case be more carefully reviewed as a legal case free from political pressures?

-- Koran Tempo, Jakarta