ICMI Lauds Naming State Audit Board Ex-Chief as a Suspect

Jakarta (Antara) - Chief of the Indonesian Muslim Intellectuals Association (ICMI) Presidium Prof. Nanat Fatah Natsir lauded the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) for naming former chairman of the Supreme Audit Board (BPK) Hadi Poernomo as a graft-case suspect. "This step by the KPK shows that they have been doing their best. The people must remain optimistic that the KPK under the leadership of Abraham Samad will be impartial in naming suspects in their fight against corruption," he said on Tuesday. The former rector of the Bandung-based State Islamic University (UIN) stated the KPK must continue their investigation in this case and also ensure they work objectively and professionally. Hadi was charged with abusing power when he was the taxation director general in 2002-2004, causing a loss to the tune of Rp375 billion to the state. He was named as a suspect on his 67th birthday on Monday when he retired as a civil servant from his last position as BPK chairman. He favored Bank Central Asia (BCA) by supporting the bank's objection to corporate tax in the 1999-2003 period, resulting in a loss to the state revenue, KPK Chairman Abraham Samad said on Monday. He will face a jail term of up to 20 years with a maximum fine of Rp1 billion if found guilty by the court. On July 17, 2003, BCA sent a letter to the Income Tax Directorate (PPH) stating its objection to the imposition of tax on its nonperforming loans (NPLs) worth Rp5.7 trillion. The PPH director recommended the rejection of BCA's objection, but Hadi passed an order to the PPH director to change his recommendation in favor of BCA on July 18, 2004. He then issued an order excluding BCA from any tax obligations on its NPL. "The state should have received at least Rp375 billion in tax revenues," claimed Deputy Chairman of KPK Bambang Widjojanto. (*)