BI graft case steps toward court

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 05/05/2008 11:24 AM  |  National

The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) is making its final preparations for the indictments of the three main suspects in the misappropriation of Bank Indonesia funds.

"We have gathered enough evidence to be able to hand the case over to prosecutors sometime next week," KPK spokesman Johan Budi said Saturday.

The three suspects -- outgoing BI governor Burhanuddin Abdullah, BI legal affairs director Oey Heoy Tiong and former BI communications bureau chief (now chief of the BI branch in Surabaya) Rusli Simanjuntak -- have been undergoing investigation by the KPK for about three months.

Both Oey and Rusli were detained on Feb. 14 and Burhanuddin was detained on April 11. The three are accused of being the main actors in the misappropriation of Rp 100 billion (US$10.81 million) from the central bank in 2003.

About Rp 68.5 billion of the money was allegedly used to hire lawyers for several former BI officials, including Iwan R. Prawiranata and Paul Sutopo, who were convicted of embezzling the BI liquidity support (BLBI) fund.

During questioning, it was revealed Rusli gave the remaining Rp 31.5 billion to Jambi deputy governor Anthony Zeidra Abidin and lawmaker Hamka Yamdhu, who were both members of then Commission IX.

The two allegedly distributed the money to other commission members who were then considering amendments to the BI law.

Anthony and Hamka, both from Golkar Party, were named suspects and detained on April 17. They are currently being questioned by the KPK.

Oey, Rusli and Burhanuddin have been charged under the 1999 corruption law and could face between four years and life in prison if found guilty.

The law also carries a fine of between Rp 200 million and Rp 1 billion if they are proven guilty of misusing state funds. (dre)

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