Syahril's resistance

The animosity between the President and Bank Indonesia Governor Syahril Sabirin has escalated into open warfare in the media. The President has called Syahril irresponsible, while Syahril has accused the President of interference, which is clearly against the law with respect to the central bank. Abdurrahman is also said to resent Bank Indonesia's decision not to pass his choice in a test for the position of director at Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI).

Such animosity among top officials aside, surely we all support the government's efforts to uphold the law in this country. Criminals must be punished and the law must be upheld with fairness, meaning that the law must be applied without regard of the person.

This also goes for the Bank Bali case. The discharge of its main suspect, Djoko S. Tjandra, has been questioned and has ruffled advocates of fair justice. Then there is the case of the other suspects and possible suspects, such as the former chairman of the Supreme Advisory Council, A.A. Baramuli, and Setya Novanto. What is the difference between Syahril Sabirin and these others?

Clearly, Syahril's detention is politically motivated, more than legally. Attorney General Marzuki Darusman should have shown the world that he could still be independent and professional in his actions. He should have applied the same law to all.

-- Bisnis Indonesia, Jakarta