TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - New leaders of the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) hinted that they might continue the investigation of suspected corruption in the issuance of a letter of payment (Surat Keterangan Lunas – SKL) in relation to the Bank Indonesia bailout case. KPK Chief Agus Rahardjo said that he will study documents related to the case. "If there are enough evidence, yes, it is possible for the investigation [of the SKL case] to be continued. We cannot make moves without concrete data," Agus said after inaugurating the KPK's new building on Tuesday, December 29, 2015.
Before former KPK leaders of the 2011-2015 period ended their office terms, the Commission had conducted a case file conference and had summarized that there are several parties that can be held accountable. However, until today, the KPK has not issued an investigation order against the suspects of the case.
In its investigation, the KPK had questioned several officials of the Gotong Royong Cabinet for the 2001-2004 period, including State-Owned Enterprises Minister Laksamana Sukardi, former Chief of the National Banking Recovery Agency (BPPN) I Putu Gede Ary Suta; former Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Dorodjatun Kuntjoro-Jakti; Finance and Coordinating Economic Minister Rizal Ramli (2000-2001 period); Finane Minister (1998-1999 period) Bambang Subiyanto; and Kwik Kian Gie, who formerly served as the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (1999-200 period) and Head of the National Development Agency (2001-2004 period).
Out of the total Rp. 144.5 trillion of Bank Indonesia bailout fund disbursed to 48 national banks, as much as Rp. 13.4 trillion was considered to have resulted in state losses. So far, only 16 individuals were brought to court in relation to the case. Meanwhile, investigation against other obligators who failed to pay back the fund was terminated.
Previously, KPK Deputy Chief Saut Situmorang said that the Commission will investigate the case back from the beginning.
Ade Irawan, Coordinator of the Indonesia Corruption Watch urged new KPK leaders to show their courage in continuing the Bank Indonesia bailout case investigation. Ade said that the case will be one of the major homework for new KPK leaders. Ade added that by investigating the case, KPK leaders must be ready to face possible political pressure. "One of the possible risk is criminalization, [KPK leaders] must be ready," Ade said.
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