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)