http://www.thejakartaglobe.com/home/bank-century-bailout-dogged-by-drama-to-the-end/361655
March 03, 2010 Febriamy Hutapea, Markus Junianto Sihaloho & Muninggar Sri Saraswati Lawmakers rushing forward after House Speaker Marzuki Alie closed Tuesday's session on the Bank Century bailout. (JG Photo/Safir Makki) Bank Century Bailout Dogged by Drama to the End Indonesian lawmakers will reconvene on Wednesday to try to conclude the long-running Bank Century bailout saga, following a tumultuous day that saw chaotic events both inside and outside the House of Representatives building in South Jakarta. Inside the plenary hall, House Speaker Marzuki Alie's abrupt decision to end the session at noon drew furious reactions and sharp rebuke from other lawmakers, who called him a "dictator." Marzuki banged his gavel and announced that the meeting was closed after a number of lawmakers pressed to bring forward a vote scheduled for today. The vote is on the conclusion and recommendations of the House special committee that investigated the Rp 6.7 trillion ($723 million) bailout of the ailing lender in 2008. Outside the House, police fired tear gas and water cannons in attempts to disband unruly protesters after they began throwing rocks and other projectiles. Some protesters attempted to climb the gate to get into the compound. Tuesday's drama, however, is unlikely to be matched by the conclusion expected today, which many observers say will turn out to be an anticlimax. The 560 lawmakers are expected to decide on the House's final stance based on two "weak" recommendations - both of which essentially say the matter should be investigated further by law-enforcement officials and do not actually name those responsible for the bailout. The first option recommends law-enforcement institutions investigate the management of Bank Century and some central bank officials for alleged involvement in "certain crimes," a version likely to be endorsed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's Democratic Party, the National Awakening Party (PKB) and the National Mandate Party (PAN). A second, stronger option recommends law enforcers investigate all violations "involving corruption, banking crimes and general crimes, and those deemed responsible." This is likely to be supported by the Golkar Party and the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), both of which are part of the ruling coalition, and the opposition Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and People's Conscience Party (Hanura). It is unclear how the United Development Party (PPP), another coalition member, and the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) will vote. Although the House has yet to decide on the manner by which the final conclusion will be derived - either by vote or acclamation - PKS secretary general Anis Matta said he was confident the decision would be made by acclamation, indicating that political parties had settled their differences. "We are making all efforts to resolve the differences [among the House factions]," Anis said after faction leaders met behind closed doors on Tuesday night. Anas Urbaningrum, the Democratic Party faction chairman, however, said his party would push for a vote. Anis and Romy Romahurmuzy, deputy secretary general of PPP, both said there had been efforts to persuade the Democrats to back the final recommendation supported by Golkar, PKS and PDI-P. Despite both options failing to specifically name anyone responsible for the bailout, Anis said the main sticking point was over who should take responsibility for the short-term loan facility offered to Bank Century. "I think there is no reason left for the Democrats to refuse our option," he said. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
