Mulyani composed, Boediono reserved

Hans David Tampubolon and Aditya Suharmoko , The Jakarta Post , Jakarta | Fri, 03/05/2010 9:30 AM | Headlines

Attention turned to Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati and Vice President Boediono Thursday as people awaited their response on the vote of no confidence made by the House of Representatives a day earlier on the Bank Century bailout.

The 325-212 vote stated that the Rp 6.76 trillion (US$716 million) bailout was unwarranted.

Mulyani presented the government’s opinion on the 2008 state budget implementation.

She insisted that she protected the economy based on authority she was entitled to by existing laws.
“The priority in this process is the truth.

“I, both personally and in my political position, try to put the truth in front,” she said.

“In this case, the truth is to enforce the law to protect the society and the economy against volatility and to avoid a possible crisis.”

She gave the government’s opinion before the same House who voted against her to reporters outside the plenary room.

“The move was made and the truth was put in front based on the authority I had.

“This is different from a truth based on political choice or power,” she added.
Mulyani said anyone who violated state regulations and caused state losses should undergo the legal process.

“We respect all conclusions made yesterday,” she said.
Mulyani refused to comment on the possibility that she might be asked to step down.

“I will not react further, please understand.

“I will not comment on this issue right now.

“As a public official I have made my statement. The government’s response will be stated in time,”
she said.

That evening, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono made a speech, mostly reiterating what Mulyani had said about the bailout decision.

In his first appearance after the voting, Boediono maintained his reserved manner.
He responded briefly to the House’s plenary result, saying that God’s truthful view applied at all times.

“God is always on the side of truth,” Boediono told reporters at the Vice Presidential office on Thursday.

Boediono’s spokesman Yopie Hidayat said that the Vice President would make a speech Friday.