How Miranda Goeltom Chosen As A BI Deputy Governor

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com - The scandal of Miranda Goeltom's election as Bank Indonesia (BI) deputy governor has been revealed in the preliminary trial for the accused Dhudie Makmun Murod, Monday. The accused was instructed by the PDI-P fraction secretary of 1999-2004, Panda Nababan, to pick up and disburse a Rp. 9.8 billion traveler's cheque. This charge was read by the Corruption Eradication Commission's prosecutor, Mochamad Rum, during the anti-corruption court, Jakarta, Tuesday.

The trial was led by the anti-corruption court presiding judge, Nani Indrawati. It revealed that the case started in May 2004. At that time, Commission IX of the House was instructed by the House speaker to execute a fit and proper test to elect a senior deputy governor for BI, as was suggested by President Megawati Soekarnoputri. There were three candidates: Miranda Goeltom, Hartadi A. Sarwono, and Budi Rochadi.

Then in June 2004, Dhudie had an internal meeting with the Commission IX at the PDI-P fraction's meeting hall, first floor of the House's Nusantara I building. The meeting was attended by other House members from the PDI-P fractions, among which were Tjahjo Kumolo as fraction chief and Panda Nababan as fraction secretary.

In the meeting, Tjahjo Kumolo stated that, for the election of a senior BI governor, PDI-P will name and support Miranda Goeltom. "By Tjahjo Kumolo, the PDI-P fraction members in Commission IX were asked to secure the election and fully concentrate on it," stated Rum.

The charge for the accused, Dudhie Makmun Murod, also stated the next meeting, which was led by Tjahjo Kumolo, in the meeting hall on the sixth floor of the House of Rep. building. In this meeting, Tjahjo again directed PDI-P fraction members to maintain solidarity to elect Miranda as BI Deputy Governor. At that time, Panda was appointed as coordinator for Miranda's victory.

Dhudie also attended the meeting on May 29, 2004, at 3 pm, at Bimasena club, Dwarawati room, Dharmawangsa Hotel, Jakarta. The meeting was attended by Miranda Goeltom, Tjahjo Kumolo, Panda Nababan, Izedrik Emir Moes, Max Moein, and Commission IX members from PDI-P, and others besides.

"This meeting was to know Miranda personally. Other than to state her vision and mission, Miranda also clarified issues regarding her first marriage and her religion."

On June 8, 2004, there was a presentation for the fit and proper test on the three candidates for BI senior deputy governor using a voting mechanism. Miranda was then elected as BI senior deputy governor for 2004-2009.

After the election, at the House's Nusantara I building, Dhudie was contacted by Panda Nababan via phone to meet someone named Ahmad Hakin Safari, a.k.a Arie Malangjudo, at Bebek Bali restaurant, Senayan amusement park complex. At the restaurant he received a traveler's cheque sent by Nunun Nurbaeti, worth Rp. 9.8 billion.

"After receiving the traveler's cheque, the accused then told Panda Nababan and by Panda Nababan was suggested to split it (the cheque) among PDI-P members in Commission IX."

Rum stated that the accused received 10 pieces of BII traveler's cheque, each worth Rp. 500 million, and the rest were split among PDI-P members in Commission IX. (ANI/C17-09)