Former governor of Indonesia's central bank sentenced for corruption
Updated
A former governor of Indonesia's central bank has been sentenced to five years' jail for corruption.
Burhanuddin Abdullah is one the most senior officials to fall foul of the country's clampdown on graft.
Presenter: Sonja Heydeman
Speaker: Managing Editor of the Jakarta Post, Riyadi Suearno
- Listen:
- Windows Media
RIYADI SURARNO: The court decision announced the sentence for Burhanuddin, the former governor, and the sentence was basically lower than what the prosecutor had demanded. The prosecutor demanded eight years and a fine of 500 million rupiah or US$50,000 but the court has handed over five years in jail and 15 million rupiah, which is about US$25,000 in fines.
SONYA HEYDEMANN: The Bank Indonesia case is one of several big corruption cases to take place under President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, who was elected in 2004 on promises to tackle graft, often seen as a deterrent to investment in South-East Asia's biggest economy. The Bank of Indonesia case is politically sensitive and could prove embarrassing for President Yudhoyono. The sentencing came as Indonesia's top graft-buster announced four more suspects in the Central Bank corruption case, including a relative by marriage of President Yudhoyono and the Jakarta Post's Riyadi Surarno says there will be action taken to appeal the sentencing decision against Burhanuddin Abdullah.
RIYADI SURARNO: Well, yeah, it's indicated that the former governor would appeal the decision because the decision to disburse the money is basically a collective decision, it's not only the decision of Burhanuddin Abdullah - that's his argument since the beginning
SONYA HEYDEMANN, REPORTER: Burhanuddin Abdullah, whose turn as Bank Indonesia governor ended in May 2008, spent most of his career at the Central Bank and has always denied any wrongdoing. Managing editor of the 'Jakarta Post' Riyadi Surarno says it's most definitely a controversial sentencing decision.
