Witness said BI has been giving money to House since the 70's

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Wed, 08/20/2008 3:50 PM  |  National

Former Bank Indonesia (BI) head of communications bureau Rusli Simanjuntak testified on Wednesday that it had been customary for the bank to give money to members of the House of Representatives since the 1970s.

"It has been going on since the 1970s. It is customary," Rusli told the Corruption Court, as quoted by Antara news agency.

Rusli also said that if BI embezzlement was not revealed, the bank would continue handing over the money. He, however, failed to clarify whether the central bank was asked by the lawmakers or took the initiative.

During Wednesday's hearing session, the court heard the case of the defendant, former BI governor Burhanudin Abdullah, who is charged with embezzling Rp 100 billion (US$11 million) BI funds in 2003.

Rusli admitted giving a total of Rp 31.5 billion to Hamka Yandhu and Antony Zeidra Abidin, then members of House Commission IX on financial and banking affairs.

Rusli said he gave the money in five installments, each worth Rp 2 billion, Rp 5.5 billion, Rp 7.5 billion, Rp 7.5 billion and Rp 10.5 billion, to Antony and Hamka from June to December 2003.

"All were given without any receipt," Rusli said. (dre)

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