Yogya (KU)- Vice-President Prof. Dr. Boediono emphasized that he is ready to be responsible for the case of Century Bank. As one of the people who was mandated as Governor of Bank of Indonesia, he felt he had already implemented the mandate and made the best policy for the nation during the crisis in 2008.
“I am ready to be responsible now and then. As a citizen, I implement the people’s mandate. I hold on to the mandate. I’m ready for whatever It takes,†said Boediono in a discussion with participants of a general lecture at UGM Senate Hall, Monday (3/5).
“I intend and want to make this nation better. If there is a legal problem, let’s solve it. If there is not, don’t make it up,†he added.
In the discussion led by UGM Rector, Prof. Ir. Sudjarwadi, M.Eng, Ph.D., Boediono said that during the decision making of Century bailout, Indonesia was facing threats of crisis similar to that between 1997-1998. The policy to close one small bank was feared to cause systemic impact on other banks, because it could cause rumors.
“We were in dreadful crisis in September, October and November. We should not lose control such as what happened in 1998. The rumor of troubled banks would cause a systemic impact,†he said.
The rescue of Century Bank, according to Boediono, is like saving a burning house in the middle of a village. We should rescue it in order to prevent the fire from spreading to other houses. Moreover, if the house is robbed, the robber should be punished.
Answering a student’s question on his economic policy as a Vice-President, Boediono emphasized that the Government now prioritizes rapid improvement of social prosperity through economic growth. “We try to improve prosperity immediately so that people will not have to wait for a long time. We want an absolute economic growth, which is enjoyed not by several people only but many people,†he said.
To overcome poverty, the Government is conducting several intensive and overall programs. One of them is the PNPM program and acceleration of infrastructure development to establish inter-regional connectivity.
Meanwhile, Minister of National Education, Muhammad Nuh, said that after the cancellation of the Law on Education Legal Entity (UU BHP), the Government is preparing a regulation that is targeted to be finished this year. He agreed, however, if the regulation to be issued by the Government would not lead to the commercialization of university.
“Universities should be non-profitable. The principle of autonomy should still run. It is impossible that a university is always controlled by the central government. We give freedom, particularly in managing resources,†he said. Besides, universities should prioritize justice for society who has limited educational access. In the management, universities are also demanded to conduct transparent management which is accountable to the public.