Verdict against ex-banker

Edward Cornellis William Neloe, a veteran banker who once produced Rp 5.2 trillion (US$553.19 million) worth of profit at Bank Mandiri, was finally sent to prison after the Supreme Court overturned his acquittal by the South Jakarta District Court in a case involving bad debts.

The court sentenced Neloe to 10 years in jail and a fine of Rp 500 million or an extra six months in jail. Meanwhile, the public is left to wonder because the South Jakarta District Court could not find evidence of Neloe's corruption that inflicted losses on the state.

The question arises why the Supreme Court did not demand Neloe refund the embezzled money, if his corruption was proven. In the public's view, the decision gives the impression of hesitation.

On the one hand, it had to satisfy the ""sense of justice"", because the release of Neloe invited strong reaction of the President and the attorney general.

On the other hand, the conscience of the Supreme Court personnel might admit that no facts of graft or action that caused losses to the state had been found.

The blame should have gone to the companies for failing to repay their debts and Bank Mandiri should have chased the debtors by various ways and means.

As long as the loans in question were provided according to proper procedures, it is indeed very difficult to force the allegation that Neloe was involved in corruption or the caused state losses.

Why has Neloe become a victim of the ""sense of justice"" while many others deserve such punishment even more?

AHMAD FAUZI
Bekasi, West Java