KPK Names Former BPPN Head Syafruddin Suspect in BLBI Case
26 April 2017 08:16 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named former National Bank Restructuring Agency (BPPN) Syafruddin Tumenggung as a suspect of graft over the issuance of a release and discharge letter to Sjamsul Nursalim, a debtor of Bank Indonesia Liquidity Assistance (BLBI). KPK spokesman Febri Diansyah asserted that his agency will investigate a possible involvement of other individuals, including Sjamsul who is currently in Singapore.
“Syafruddin is also charged under Article 55 of the Criminal Code on joint corruption. We will certainly investigate it,” Febri said yesterday, April 25.
Read: KPK to Announce Update on Status of BLBI Investigation
Syafruddin is accused of illicit enrichment through the misuse of authority causing Rp3.75 trillion in state losses. The state losses was an outstanding state receivables balance following the distribution of BLBI funds to PT Bank Dagang Nasional Indonesia (BDNI) unaccounted for when Syarifuddin declared that Sjamsul had paid off his debts in April 2004.
Sjamsul was the controlling shareholder of the BDNI that received Rp47.2 trillion in BLBI funds. In order to pay the debts, Sjamsul had handed over bank assets, three of his companies and paid his remaining liabilities of Rp4.75 trillion in cash.
KPK deputy chief Basaria Panjaitan said that before Syafruddin issued a release and discharge letter, BPPN had received around Rp1 trillion from Dipasena fish farmers. “The remaining Rp3.75 trillion has never been paid, which might have caused state losses,” Basaria said yesterday.
According to Basaria, the investigators will also investigate alleged bribery in the release and discharge letter to Sjamsul.
The BLBI case implicating Sjamsul Nursalim came under the spotlight when the then Attorney General dropped the investigation into it on February 29, 2008. Three days later, the KPK arrested Urip Tri Gunawan, then leader of AGO investigators in BLBI case, for taking Rp6.1 billion bribe from Artalyta Suryani, Sjamsul’s confidante.
Syafruddin Tumenggung could not be reached for comment on his suspect status, likewise his lawyer Amir Syamsuddin.
The KPK investigators have yet to question Sjamsul. However, the latter’s defense lawyer Maqdir Ismail, had said that the BPPN was fully responsible for the issuance of any release and discharge letter over the BLBI obligation. “The case should have already been closed,” Maqdir said.
INDRI MAULIDAR | HUSSEIN ABRI | AGOENG