BI expert to testify on banking operation

Wed, 09/24/2008 10:44 AM | The Archipelago

CIMAHI, W. Java: The Cimahi City Police will summon an expert from Bank Indonesia to assess whether the manager of an Idul Fitri savings fund could be charged with conducting an illegal banking operation.

Cimahi City Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Eko Budi Sampurna said the police had yet to name Dewi Nuri Bintarti, 41, manager of Idul Fitri savings fund CV. De Sam San, as a suspect in illegal banking activities.

The police still needed further investigation to ascertain which legal provision should apply in the case.

"Even though all the facts refer to Dewi's illegal banking activity, we still need further explanation about the meanings of legal and illegal banking," Eko said.

"That's why we have summoned an expert from Bank Indonesia to explain that before determining whether Dewi is a suspect in this case."

He added the police were likely to apply Article 46(1) of the 1998 Banking Law, which covers illegal banking practices and carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail and a maximum fine of Rp 10 billion (US$425,500).

Eko added that Dewi could also be charged with embezzlement and fraud under the Criminal Code.

Dewi, the wife of a Jakarta Military Command officer, had run an Idul Fitri savings fund in Cimahi and Bandung. She successfully gathered a total of more than Rp 4 billion from about 4,000 members, who were mostly factory workers with low incomes. -- JP

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