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Century trial kicks off
KPK building: JPIllicit practices and the roles of former central bank officials surrounding the 2008 bailout of Bank Century (now Bank Mutiara), which has been deemed as the countryâs biggest scandal since the 2000s, are about to begin unfolding at the Jakarta Corruption Court as the first hearing of the trial commences on Thursday
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KPK building: JP
Illicit practices and the roles of former central bank officials surrounding the 2008 bailout of Bank Century (now Bank Mutiara), which has been deemed as the country's biggest scandal since the 2000s, are about to begin unfolding at the Jakarta Corruption Court as the first hearing of the trial commences on Thursday.
Former Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor Budi Mulya, the first Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) suspect in the case, is standing trial for his role in the central bank's controversial decision to channel short-term financial assistance (FPJP) to the then-ailing Bank Century.
Budi's indictment shows that the KPK has charged him with having 'collectively misused their authority' and causing state losses up to Rp 7.4 trillion (US$643.8 million). Budi's then colleagues at BI, whom the KPK has suggested should also share responsibility in the disbursement of the controversial bailout, are then BI governor Boediono, now the Vice President; then senior deputy governor Miranda Goeltom, now a corruption convict in another case; as well as then deputy governors Siti C. Fadjrijah, Budi Rochadi, Muliaman Hadad, Hartadi Sarwono and Ardhayadi Mitroatmodjo.
Other alleged accomplices in the case, according to the indictment, included former Bank Century shareholder Robert Tantular and president director Hermanus Muslim, and economist Raden Pardede, who was the then secretary of the Financial System Stability Committee (KSSK).
The hearing began at 9:30 a.m., a half an hour late.
Some politicians, who first initiated an inquiry into the bailout at the House of Representatives in 2010, such as Akbar Faisal of the Hanura Party and Muhammad Misbakhun of the Golkar Party, were also seen in the courtroom's audience. When the inquiry started, Akbar was a Hanura Party lawmaker while Misbakhun represented the Prosperous Justice Party.
Many have cast concerns that the court hearing could stir the government and the general public again about one month before the legislative election.
