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THE TRAVEL-CHEQUE CASE INVOLVING MIRANDA GOELTOM
And the Legal Position of Sri Mulyani Indrawati
The case commonly known as the Bank Indonesia travel-cheque case concerned allegations of bribery in connection with the 2004 election of Miranda Swaray Goeltom as Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia.
An important legal distinction should be made at the outset: Sri Mulyani Indrawati was not a defendant or convicted person in the travel-cheque case involving Miranda Goeltom. Her name should therefore not be treated as though she were a co-defendant in that case.
1. THE CORE OF THE CASE
On 8 June 2004, the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR) conducted the election for the position of Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia. Miranda Swaray Goeltom was subsequently elected.
In the course of the case, approximately 480 Bank International Indonesia (BII) traveller's cheques, each with a nominal value of IDR 50 million, were distributed to a number of members of the DPR. Their total nominal value was approximately IDR 24 billion.
Case description:
The matter subsequently became widely known in Indonesia as the
travel-cheque or traveller's-cheque bribery case
involving the election of the Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia.
2. MIRANDA GOELTOM
Miranda Swaray Goeltom was subsequently designated as a suspect and prosecuted in connection with the bribery case.
The Anti-Corruption Court sentenced her to three years' imprisonment and a fine of IDR 100 million. The judgment was subsequently upheld through the appellate process.
The Supreme Court later rejected Miranda's cassation appeal through Supreme Court Decision No. 545 K/Pid.Sus/2013.
Legal position:
Miranda's legal position was not merely that of a person whose name appeared in an investigation. She was ultimately convicted through a judicial proceeding in relation to the case.
3. NUNUN NURBAETIE
Nunun Nurbaetie was another important figure in the case.
The prosecution concerned the distribution of traveller's cheques to members of the DPR in connection with the election of the Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia.
Nunun was subsequently prosecuted and convicted in a separate proceeding arising from the same broader corruption case.
4. MEMBERS OF THE DPR AS RECIPIENTS
The investigation also developed into cases involving a number of members of the DPR serving during the relevant period.
One significant disclosure came from Agus Condro Prayitno, who acknowledged receiving 10 traveller's cheques, each worth IDR 50 million, giving a total of IDR 500 million.
Significance:
This disclosure became an important element in the subsequent investigation into the distribution of the traveller's cheques.
The KPK subsequently prosecuted a number of legislators in relation to the receipt of the cheques, and several recipients were ultimately convicted.
5. WHAT ABOUT SRI MULYANI?
IMPORTANT LEGAL DISTINCTION
Sri Mulyani Indrawati was not a defendant in the Miranda Goeltom travel-cheque case.
Her name should therefore not be presented as though she were a co-suspect or co-defendant in that criminal proceeding.
The principal legal chain of the travel-cheque case:
2004 Election for Senior Deputy Governor of Bank Indonesia
↓
Miranda Swaray Goeltom was elected
↓
Traveller's cheques were distributed to members of the DPR
↓
Investigation by the KPK
↓
Cases involving Nunun Nurbaetie and recipient legislators
↓
Miranda Goeltom was prosecuted
↓
Conviction and imprisonment
↓
Supreme Court Decision No. 545 K/Pid.Sus/2013
6. POSSIBLE CONFUSION WITH THE BANK CENTURY MATTER
Sri Mulyani's name is associated with a different major Indonesian financial and political controversy: the Bank Century matter.
That matter should not automatically be merged with the Miranda Goeltom travel-cheque case. Although some individuals and institutions connected with Indonesia's financial-policy establishment may appear in discussions of both matters, they concern different factual circumstances, legal proceedings, and alleged conduct.
TRAVEL-CHEQUE CASE
→ 2004 election of Bank Indonesia's Senior Deputy Governor
→ Miranda Goeltom
→ Nunun Nurbaetie
→ DPR members
→ Traveller's cheques
→ KPK investigation and subsequent convictions
BANK CENTURY MATTER
→ Separate financial and banking controversy
→ Different factual and legal circumstances
→ Sri Mulyani's name appears in connection with that separate matter
Conclusion
The two matters should therefore not be presented as one criminal case involving Miranda Goeltom and Sri Mulyani as co-suspects or co-defendants. A legally accurate discussion should distinguish the 2004 Bank Indonesia travel-cheque case from the Bank Century matter.
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