UN Anti-corruption Conference:

Asset Recovery Resolution Discussion Difficult
Friday, 01 February, 2008 | 13:18 WIB

TEMPO Interactive, Nusa Dua, Bali: A day prior to its closing, the Second-Round Conference of the United Nations Convention of Anti-corruption (UNCAC) continued to concentrate on the interest difference between the developed countries group and the developing countries as regards composing the resolution draft for stolen asset recovery.

The Director General of Legal and International Cooperation at the Foreign Affairs Department, Eddy Pratomo, explained that the developing countries, including Indonesia, urged that the funding be included explicitly in the technical assistance clause. Yet, several developed countries objected. “We must call for the high offer first,” explained Eddy.

This evening (1/2), the conference that has been ongoing since last week will be officially closed.

In the forum on asset recovery yesterday (31/1), Justice and Human Rights Minister Andi Mattalata stressed that the Indonesian government is committed to carrying out the StAR (stolen asset recovery) initiative. “Our people are concerned over the matter and the government is always asked to show concrete results.”

Director General Eddy Pratomo acknowledged that so far the government does not yet have accurate data regarding total state assets embezzled abroad, including the locations. However, he said, “We already know some cases abroad, including the amount. But so far there has been no cooperation.” In terms of Suharto’s wealth, Eddy said the government could not yet confirm it, either.

On the same forum, head of the asset recovery team from Kuwait, Professor Mohammad al-Moqatei, described his country’s tale of success. During Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait between 1990 and 1991, funds amounting to US$3 billion invested by the Kuwait Investment Office (KIO) in London suddenly vanished. An investigation that was conducted directly found the involvement of KIO’s top management and several royal family members.

Al-Moqatei team investigation found that the fund was hidden in 19 different jurisdiction areas, especially in Switzerland, the Bahama Islands and Singapore. Al-Moqatei’s hard work resulted in the withdrawal of US$548 million, 30 criminal charges, 180 orders of asset freezing and fund flow tracing also 49 rulings of compensation. The team’s total budget reached US$38 million or seven percent of the total fund that was managed to be repatriated.

KARANIYA DHARMASAPUTRA