The former chief of Indonesia's National Police criminal investigation bureau faces allegations of accepting at least one bribe while investigating the multi-million dollar letter of credit (L/C) scam at state-run Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI).

Commissioner General Suyitno Landung becomes the highest-ranking policeman yet to be detained for allegedly accepting bribes in the case that cost BNI up to US$200 million (DC World News 4 November 2003 & 6 November 2003).

Allegations

Landung allegedly accepted bribes, including a Nissan X-Trail sports utility vehicle worth the equivalent of around US$30,000, while investigating the lending scam that involved senior BNI officials, prominent business figures and at least one high-ranking politician.

Indonesia's National Police is regarded by local sources as one of the country's most corrupt institutions, although few senior officers have ever been prosecuted for corruption. Landung is yet to face formal charges while local media report that two other officers have also been detained.

Prison terms

The BNI scam centred on bogus L/Cs issued between 2002-03 that were used to defraud BNI's Kebayoran Baru branch of millions of dollars.

Nine leading business figures and two senior former BNI officials have already been jailed for their part in the scam.

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