Return of Stolen Money Belonging to Neloe Going Nowhere
Tuesday, 20 March, 2012 | 22:47 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:The Justice Ministry said the differences in the legal system and language between Indonesia and Switzerland has stalled the efforts of returning monies owned by Eduard Cornelius William Neloe from the Bank of Switzerland. Chairijah, director of International Law and Authorities of the Justice Ministry, said that when the Indonesian government proposed the draft for the return of assets to the Swiss government, different opinions arose on the crime that Neloe committed.

Neloe is serving 10 years in prison for graft he committed while serving as president director of Bank Mandiri. Prosecutors are allegedly pursuing over US$5 million in a Swiss account which allegedly belongs to Neloe. He has not paid Rp 500 million in fines, and has consistently denied having any secret Swiss bank accounts.

Chairijah said that, based on Indonesian law, Neloe was indicted for graft. Meanwhile, Swiss law, according to Chairijah, states that Neloe had only committed administrative errors - and not graft. The Indonesian law, according to Chairijah, clearly points out that Neloe committed graft. “Because Neloe, as the CEO of Bank Mandiri, allowed for a loan approval without following proper procedures--that’s abuse of one’s position [for personal interest purposes],” Chairijah said in Jakarta on Monday.

Chairijah added that in a graft case, state losses must be proven. However, Chairijah said, the definitions of state losses in Indonesia and Switzerland are not the same and, therefore, the Justice Ministry need to further study the matter. In addition, a portion of the judge’s ruling over Neloe’s crime had been deemed inappropriate according to Swiss law.

INDRA WIJAYA | ANANDA PUTRI | SUNUDYANTORO