PRESIDENT: MEETING WITH INSTITUTION CHIEFS NOT ON CENTURY CASE

Bogor, Jan 21 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said his meeting with the chiefs of high state institutions in Bogor on Thursday was not aimed at discussing specific issues such as the Bank Century case.

"No, not at all. We discussed fundamental issues related to statehood," he said at a press conference after the meeting that lasted for four hours.

The Indonesian House of Representatives committee is currently discussing the Century Bank bailout worth Rp6.7 trillion decided by the government in 2008, following allegations that it had benefitted certain parties.

President Yudhoyono said in the company of all high state institution chiefs that the meeting was neither connected with problems of relationship between state institutions because all institutions submit to laws with regard to their authority, role, functions and tasks.

In reply to a question if the meeting was intended for seeking a deal over certain case the head of state said all parties agreed that they would refer to the existing laws with regard to solving problems.

"What is clear is we have agreed that in dealing with any problem we will refer to the constitution, existing laws and regulations. We are not fixing a stance or a deal that conditions should be like this and end like that. No, it is not like that," he said.

Regarding the Century Bank case President Yudhoyono hoped that "the direction, goal and context must be maintained."
"We hope it would not create other complications because we wish to enforce the rules correctly in the country," he said.

He said all parties summoned to testify before the House committee must explain the situation and complications upon which the bailout decision was made.

He said there was no place for criminalization of policy.

"A policy is embedded to state officials carrying their duties, functions and obligations and so it only has to be made clear and transparent so that it becomes clear, rational and contextual so that people can follow it well," he said.

The meeting was also attended by vice president Boediono who was the central bank governor when the decision to bail out the Century Bank was made and finance minister Sri Mulyani who was also a finance minister then and together with Boediono made the bailout decision. Both Boediono and Sri Mulyani had testified before the committee with regard to the decision.

Committee deputy chairman Gayus Lumbuun said the committee would conduct a plenary meeting next Monday to formulate a temporary conclusion of their work.