
It is difficult not to say that Boediono and Sri Mulyani obviously are a minimum target by their “enemies”. I said as the “minimum” because if they are out (whether they are pressured to resign from the Cabinet or suspended temporarily), the other target is President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Say Yudhoyono is strong enough to stand in the middle of the storm, tarnishing his reputation is sufficient for his political foes, at least at this time.
The Bank Century debacle, indeed, should be investigated to reveal what has been going on. The scandal should be opened to answer the allegation that there was misappropriation of the bailout process and fraud within the Bank Century, that the Rp. 6.7 trillion of the bailout was saving deposits of several high figure depositors rather than save the entire domestic banking industry and Indonesian economy, that some of the money had flown to the Democratic Party and to fund Yudhoyono’s campaign for legislative and presidential election.
That’s the allegation that has spread among public, where Boediono and Sri Mulyani are mentioned as the most responsible. As usual, pressure is mounting from some elements demanded Boediono and Sri Mulyani be fired, although the allegations have yet to be proved. Additionally, process to follow-up the audit result of the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) is still ongoing. Where is the logic on pressing them to resign?
The House of Representative, pioneered by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) party formed an inquiry committee to investigate the case. The inquiry committee will have power to summon anyone who is implicated in the scandal including Boediono, Sri Mulyani, and even the President for questioning.
We are keen for this country to handle economic challenges properly and prudently by our leaders to ensure good governance. However, is the spirit of good governance solely what motivated the inquiry committee to form? I wish so, but please forgive me if I personally doubt it, moreover after learned the case was, since the beginning, driven to aim the two most trusted aides of President SBY as the shooting targets.
My doubt over the motivation of the inquiry committee is mostly supported by the fact that Sri Mulyani has created a lot of enemies during her term as the finance minister. Her personality as the decisive, uncompromised, clean, and not afraid to bulldoze the corrupt officials within her institution, has gained praise from many and at the same time also has been cursed, such as her bulldozing characteristic.
Her stance as the guard of state budget also irritated whoever requested to get bailouts for their companies that suffered losses during the global financial crisis recently. Her victory at one sides, is a loss for others at other sides. That is a Pyrrhic victory and now the losers are waiting for her fall.
It is important to know Yudhoyono supported actions to open the scandal. He, through his Democratic Party eventually backed the plan of the House of Representative to form inquiry committee to investigate it.
President Yudhoyono should make everything clear, not only because his name, his family and his party have been accused of receiving the bailout funds, but also to defend the government's reputation.
The great man has not stumbled over a mountain but a pebble. Will the Bank Century fiasco become a pebble for Boediono, Sri Mulyani or even SBY?
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Serpong, 30 Nov 2009
Titus J.
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