Naming powerful suspects at the end of their terms Alex Bambang Riatmodjo RCA  ;   A police Insp. Gen. (ret); Former Central Java police chief 2008-2010; Former Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy Associates/Asia Pacific Chapter president 1997-2000; Lecturer in law at Atma Jaya University, Jakarta: A regular member of the Society of Police Futurists International

JAKARTA POST, 20 Agustus 2014

                                               

                                                                                                                                   

All Indonesian citizens must give a thumbs up to the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK), particularly after the Jakarta Corruption Court sentenced Budi Mulya, the former deputy governor of Bank Indonesia (BI), to 10 years in prison — a sentence that confirmed the roles of other individuals in the case of the Bank Century bailout in 2008. The verdict was less than the 17 years sought by the KPK, but both the KPK and Budi stated they would appeal the sentence. The KPK needs to pay close attention to three issues regarding the case that led to the verdict. First, that Budi had abused his authority collectively with his colleagues from the board of governors: Vice President Boediono; former BI senior deputy governor Miranda Goeltom; and then-BI deputy governors Siti C. Fadjriah, Budi Rochyadi, Muliaman Hadad, Hartadi Sarwono and Ardhayadi Mitroatmodjo. Second, Budi Mulia and his colleagues abused their authority by channeling Rp 689 billion (US$58.9 million) in short-term financial assistance (FPJP) to keep the bank afloat and by mistakenly claiming that Bank Century posed a systemic threat to the banking sector, making it eligible for Rp 6.7 trillion from the Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS). Third, that Budi worked together with current Vice President Boediono, who served as BI governor when the bailout decision was made. However, the KPK still needs continuous support in the case, especially as it has targeted its allegations at people of the highest positions. A look at the strategies adopted by the KPK so far, including how it nets high-ranking suspects, reveals three patterns. The first is the general method of investigation and announcing allegations based on the existing law and later acquiring sufficient evidence. The second is capturing suspects red-handed. The third and latest tactic seems to be naming suspects at the end of their terms, especially regarding high-ranking people. A clear example is the naming of Hadi Purnomo as a suspect right after his farewell party at the end of his term as Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) chairman in May this year. He was suspected of corruption when working as director general of taxation several years ago. Another example was the announcement of former Makassar mayor Ilham Arief Sirajuddin as a suspect at the end of his term. As the term of the Vice President ends shortly in October, the KPK should collect and trace evidence and indications of Boediono’s involvement in graft. Also, the KPK’s qualified investigators should cooperate with police investigators to trace the cause of the sudden death in August 2011 of a main witness, Budi Sampoerna, who was among Bank Century’s largest depositors. The experienced investigators could use their “sixth sense” to link the controversial bailout of Bank Century and the sudden death of Budi Sampoerna. They could read into his concern regarding his savings; certainly he would have needed help. To whom did he turn? The investigators could retrace his relationships at least five or ten years before his death — the high-ranking government officials who were closest to him and who had special powers to intervene in the bailout. Many citizens now follow all processes of law enforcement seriously, especially the controversial bailout of Bank Century. Citizens are waiting for the KPK’s courage to investigate all those involved without discrimination, and to see whether the KPK will apply the same tactic of naming a suspect of high office at the end of his term. Gentlemen of the KPK, Indonesia is waiting for you. ●