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)