Three executives of suspended banks held

JAKARTA (JP): Three senior executives of three private banks suspended by the government last Friday were charged yesterday with violating a banking law, a reliable police source said.

They are also being detained at the National Police Headquarters, he said.

According to the source, the three are Leonard Tanudjaya, president of Bank Umum Nasional (BUN), Kiki Hamid Djaja, a director of Bank Modern, and Husni Ali, credit director of Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia (BDNI).

"Tanudjaya is also secretary-general of Perbanas (the Association of Private National Banks)," he said.

When asked for confirmation, National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Togar Sianipar refused to comment.

The source refused to elaborate on the charges or which law the three bankers had violated.

"We've not yet completed the entire investigation," he said.

He added that the probe could still yield more suspects.

On Friday the government suspended the operation of the three bankers' banks, pending their subsequent liquidation. The police began their investigation into the banks four days later.

"We have prepared a preliminary investigation into the three banks, including the listing of possible suspects and tracing and collecting evidence," officer Sianipar said Tuesday.

However, Togar said the police were still waiting for the final result of Bank Indonesia's investigation.

"As investigators, we have to be ready to probe the banks. This is a crucial matter which needs to be handled carefully," Togar told reporters at a media briefing.

Besides probing the three suspended banks, National Police economic crimes detectives are also investigating dozens of top executives of the 16 insolvent banks which were closed by the government last November for their alleged violation of the country's banking laws.

The police have already named 24 suspects from seven banks. (edt)