RI set to propose asset recovery mechanism at UN meeting

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Indonesia and several like-minded countries are set to draft new mechanisms to recover stolen state assets.

The draft is scheduled for presentation at a United Nations conference in Bali from Jan. 28 to Feb. 1.

The UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) should be attended by some 140 countries, and will discuss ways of making sure parties comply with articles in the conventions, as well issues including technical assistance among countries, and corruption by international organization officials.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is slated to open the conference.

The Indonesian delegation will comprise of Foreign Minister Hassan Wirayuda, Attorney General Hendarman Supandji, Minister of Law and Human Rights Andi M. Mattalata, National Police Chief Gen. Sutanto and Corruption Eradication Commission chairman Antasari Azhar.

"Indonesia's government has given high priority to efforts to recover our stolen assets," Foreign Ministry director general for law and international treaties Eddy Pratomo told reporters Friday.

"Currently, we have problems dealing with countries receiving our stole assets.

"That's why we need a breakthrough to create a mechanism that is accepted both by owner and receiving countries as well as by developing and developed countries," he said.

Eddy, who is also the organizing committee head of the conference, said Indonesia had discussed the possible mechanism with countries with similar interests, including the Philippines, Peru, Nigeria, China, and other members of G-77, a developing country grouping.

He said one mechanism involved pooling internationally-recognized experts from developed and developing countries together as advisors.

"We also propose a forum comprising representatives of limited numbers of developed and developing countries that will handle the asset recovery," Eddy said.

"But we're still discussing who can become members of the forum."

The landmark 2003 UNCAC, which came into force in December 2005, contains a chapter exclusively devoted to asset recovery.

Indonesia is a party to UNCAC and the government said it hopes to benefit fully from it.

Indonesia has claimed many of its business people fled the country with billions of dollars, including money from the Bank of Indonesia Liquidity Support (BLBI) fund, which amounted to a total of Rp 145 trillion (US$16 billion).

That half the G-8 countries have yet to ratify UNCAC was proof it is not an easy task to repatriate stolen assets, Eddy said.

The conference would also discuss the so-called Stolen Asset Recovery (StAR) as a part of international efforts in asset recovery.

The StAR initiative is a new program under the World Bank and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).

It is aimed at helping both developing and developed countries benefit from the implementation of UNCAC.

Indonesia has expressed interest in participating in the StAR initiative, especially to strengthen its capacity to trace, freeze and recover stolen assets being held in foreign jurisdictions.

Former President Soeharto is listed in the StAR initiative document, which alleges the former dictator stole between US$15-and $35 billion-worth of public assets during his 32 years in power.

The government has alleged the assets have been placed in various foreign countries.

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