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)