Legislators incensed over ‘slow’ Century bailout investigation

The lack of significant progress made by the government and law enforcers in the investigation into the Bank Century bailout case has angered legislators, who have called for swift legal actions.

Members of the House of Representatives were incensed Wednesday upon finding the reports presented by Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo, Justice and Human Rights Minister Patrialis Akbar, National Police chief Gen. Bambang Hendarso Danuri, and Interim Attorney General Darmono, fell short of their expectations.

The senior officials met with the legislative team in charge of monitoring the Bank Century probe.
“You are too slow. The money to be seized and returned to the victims [of the Bank Century fraud] will be lost if you work at this pace,” Nurdiman Munir of the Golkar Party said.

He was referring to the Rp 689 billion (US$77.17 million) in Bank Indonesia liquidity support and the Rp 6.76 trillion bailout disbursed to the now-defunct Bank Century in 2008.

The bailout, totaling Rp 7.45 trillion, has been deemed unjustified and hence illegal, legislators concluded in March.

However, after almost seven months, only Rp 295 billion, or 4 percent, of the alleged total lost fund has been secured.

The secured assets comprise stocks worth Rp 1 billion, PT Antaboga Delta Sekuritas’ assets worth Rp 239 billion, an office building in Buaran Indah worth Rp 1.3 billion and securities in Bahana Sekuritas worth Rp 796 million, Bambang said.

A lawmaker from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), Gayus Lumbuun, said he was pessimistic the money could be recouped and returned to the customers without due legal investigation.

“I have seen no significant progress in terms of legal measures. The investigations are needed as the ground for the seized money before it can be confiscated and returned to the state or the victims. What’s happening here? It’s suspicious,” Gayus told the hearing.

The senior politician was involved in a heated debate with House Speaker Marzuki Alie of the Democratic Party, who chaired the meeting.

“Stop being sarcastic, you stray from our topic,” Marzuki said.

“What do you mean? I wasn’t being sarcastic. This is about the mandate which the public has given to us,” Gayus replied.

Law enforcers have only named one new suspect linked with the Century case, Mukhammad Misbakhun, a lawmaker from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS).

Many have alleged the police naming Misbakhun as a suspect was politically motivated because the PKS had strongly pushed for an investigation into the bailout.

The police have actually named more suspects in the case, including former Century owner Robert Tantular, but it was before the legislative inquiry was completed in March.

The AGO has also named Century’s former president commissioner Hesham Al Warraq and former major stakeholder Rafat Ali Rizfi as suspects prior to the inquiry. The two are currently at large and facing in absentia trials.

Misbakhun’s fellow PKS lawmaker, Fachri Hamzah, expressed his disappointment over the poor legal process into the case.

“Why my colleague? There are so many culprits whose roles are more significant? I understand why Pak Gayus is so emotional... I see you have no good-will in investigating this case. Too many things have been hidden and the main issue here has been diverted,” Fachri said.

In typical fashion, a number of legislators from the Democratic Party voiced support for the government investigation.