Indonesia anti-graft body searches central bank’s headquarters

JAKARTA (Reuters) – Indonesian anti-graft investigators raided the Jakarta headquarters of the central bank on Monday in relation to a probe into alleged mishandling of a corporate social responsibility programme, the central bank said.

A spokesperson for the anti-graft body on Tuesday confirmed the search took place but did not provide further details.

Bank Indonesia said it respected the investigation and would cooperate with the anti-graft agency.

The agency in September had said it was conducting a probe into CSR programmes by financial regulators, including the central bank, for potential misuse of funds for personal gain, according to local media.

Central bank Governor Perry Warjiyo in September said BI had cooperated with the investigation, but defended governance of its CSR funds.

“We can ensure that CSR or BI’s social programmes have strong regulatory governance and their decision-making process are through stages,” he told a press conference at the time.

BI typically donates to education, social empowerment or religious foundations, instead of individuals.

Those are selected following a survey and must meet a set of requirements, Warjiyo said at the time, adding the board of governors decide on the size of such donations.