Syahril Sabirin and BI

Syahril Sabirin and BI

From Rakyat Merdeka

Although Syahril Sabirin, the Central Bank Governor, has been sentenced to three years in prison, he insists he is innocent and continues to lead the Central Bank.

This shows the upholding of the supremacy of the law in the country is weak and constitutes an insult to President Megawati, who frequently stresses the need for consistent enforcement of the law.

Hence it is appropriate if the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) feels concerned over such an irregularity.

The deputy chairman of the PDI Perjuangan faction and a member of Commission IX of the House of Representatives (DPR), Max Moein, said that 17 of the 50 Commission IX members were PDI Perjuangan, so it would be very easy for PDI Perjuangan to mobilize forces to reach a majority. He believed that the number of Commission IX members rejecting Syahril would be more than not. However, he did not explain how would get the necessary votes as his party has only 17 members in the Commission.

Apart from the internal affairs within PDI Perjuangan, the party's intention to boycott the meeting between Syahril and the House of Representatives should be pondered carefully.

We have no idea who Syahril Sabirin actually is. It is said that Syahril is one of the country's most influential officials. His position was never shaken during the eras of Soeharto, B.J. Habibie or even Abdurrahman "Gus Dur" Wahid. They apparently did not dare to make a move against him. Whether or not Syahril belongs to Golkar, obviously, Golkar and other parties do not necessarily support PDI Perjuangan's intention.

E. SUHERMAN

Bandung, West Java