Syahril denies responsibility

Syahril denies responsibility

JAKARTA (JP): Bank Indonesia Governor Syahril Sabirin told the
court here on Wednesday that he was not responsible for the
disbursement of Rp 904 billion (US$100 million) in Bank
Indonesia's liquidity support funds (BLBI) to Bank Bali in 1999.

The defendant claimed that Bank Indonesia was not a decision
maker for the disbursement of funds and it only acted as a
cashier for the government, which in this case was represented by
the finance ministry and the Indonesian Bank Restructuring Agency
(IBRA).

"Bank Indonesia will not question any claim from government
agencies, as long as they have accounts in Bank Indonesia and
complete their claims with proper signatures," he told the court.

Syahril was being tried at the Central Jakarta District Court
for his alleged involvement in the case.

Previously, prosecutor Y.W. Mere had accused Syahril of having
ordered one of his directors to disburse the money to Bank Bali
some time between February and June 1999.

According to the prosecutor, Syahril had violated Article 1 of
the 1971 law on corruption prohibiting the enrichment of oneself
or others at the expense of the state. The violation of the law
carries a maximum punishment of life imprisonment. (04)