Tanri a suspect in Bank Bali scandal
Tanri a suspect in Bank Bali scandal
JAKARTA (JP): Former state minister of the empowerment of
state enterprises Tanri Abeng and Bank Indonesia official Erman
Munzir were officially named on Friday night as suspects in the
Rp 546 billion Bank Bali scandal.
In an abruptly called media conference, Attorney General's
Office spokesman Soehandoyo said the Bank Bali investigating
team, led by Chairul Imam, had found "enough preliminary
evidence" to name the two as suspects.
"The decision was taken this Friday during a plenary team
meeting which has been reported to Attorney General Marzuki
Darusman."
"Tonight the team is drafting a schedule to summon the two
suspects," he explained, adding that the investigating team had
delved thoroughly into various documents, evidence and
testimonies of witnesses to make the conclusion.
The naming of the latest two raises the number of suspects in
the graft case to six.
Tanri is the highest profile name to be officially linked to
the case, which surfaced last year.
Making his reputation as one of Indonesia's most astute
business executives, Tanri was appointed as a Cabinet minister
during former president Soeharto's last Cabinet in 1998. He was
then again selected by B.J. Habibie during his tumultuous 18-
month presidency.
Erman worked as a Bank Indonesia official in the supervision
department. Soehandoyo said Erman is currently suspended.
The Bank Bali scandal centers around a Rp 546 billion transfer
to PT Era Giat Prima (EGP) as a commission for services in
assisting the bank to recoup Rp 904 billion in interbank loans.
EGP is owned by businessman Djoko S. Chandra and Golkar
legislator Setya Novanto. It is suspected that the commission
ended in the hands of Golkar Party executives to help secure then
president B.J. Habibie's renomination.
Attorney general officials earlier named Djoko, Setya, former
Bank Bali director Rudy Ramli and former Indonesian Bank
Restructuring Agency deputy chairman Pande Lubis as suspects.
Friday's announcement of two new suspects indicates the new
found vigor in the Attorney General's Office since President
Abdurrahman Wahid appointed Marzuki Darusman as attorney general.
Marzuki has pledged to thoroughly investigate unresolved graft
cases allegedly involving state officials, including corruption
allegations against former president Soeharto.
The latest move was in stark contrast to previous efforts by
the Attorney General's Office and police in unfolding the case.
After questioning Tanri in October, National Police detectives
said they were unable to find any sign of his involvement in the
scandal.
"Pak Tanri Abeng has not been proven (to be involved) in any
corrupt practices. We have nothing against him. So far, he is
free from suspicion of corruption," chief of the detectives
directorate for corruption practices Col. Fajar Istiono said at
the time.
Tanri was questioned in connection to a
PricewaterhouseCooper's audit which alleged the money was also
deposited in a Tanri company bank account. (01)