President allows Boediono, Mulyani to be questioned on Century case

The government has approved the House of Representatives' proposal to let law enforcement institutions question state officials involved in the decision to bail out Bank Century.

Coordinating Political, Legal and Security Affair Minister Djoko Suyanto did not cite any names, but it was implied the statement referred to Vice President Boediono and Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati who were the key decision makers.

Boediono, then central bank governor, and Mulyani approved the decision to bailout the ailing bank in 2008, reasoning it posed a systemic threat to the country's banking sector amid the looming global financial crisis.

The government, however, refused to strip them of their official duties during the legal process, as proposed by the House.

"According to existing regulations, state officials can only be temporarily deactivated after they are granted defendant status and permanently discharged after they are charged with a criminal act," Djoko told a press conference at the Presidential Office on Monday.

He was speaking after a meeting with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who asked several Cabinet ministers and other related senior government officials for their input regarding the House's recommendations on the Century case.

Djoko said the President had sent copies of the recommendations to the National Police and the Attorney General's Office (AGO) so that they could follow up the case.

He added he would also coordinate with the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) regarding the matter, saying the President did not correspond with the body as he believed the House had earlier done so.