Sofyan to lead new business council

Sofyan to lead new business council

JAKARTA (JP): Businessman Sofyan Wanandi has been nominated to
lead the National Business Development Council, which will assist
President Abdurrahman Wahid with microeconomic issues, State
Secretary Ali Rahman confirmed on Monday.

"Yes, I heard that (Sofyan's nomination). But the names of the
council members have not been decided," Ali said at a hearing
with House Commission I for defense and security, foreign
affairs, information and legal affairs.

The council, which will be soon formed, is expected to advise
the President on issues related to microeconomics, while the
newly established National Economic Council, which is chaired by
former cabinet minister and respected economist Emil Salim, would
handle macroeconomic matters, Ali said.

He said Sofyan's nomination to head the planned council was
discussed during President Abdurrahman's three-day visit to
Beijing last week.

Sofyan, known as the spokesman for the Jimbaran Group -- a
group of Indonesian tycoons of Chinese origin -- was among dozens
of Chinese businessmen who joined the President on his visit to
China.

The Gemala business group owner has been accused of misusing
credit facilities totaling US$16 million, which his companies
obtained from state banks Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), Bank Bumi
Daya (BBD) and Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).

The Attorney General's Office decided last week to end a one-
year-long investigation against Sofyan after announcing that
there were insufficient grounds to continue with the prosecution.
(jun)