The U.S. Government Support’s Indonesia’s Fight Against Financial Crimes and Corruption

April 11, 2005

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), in cooperation with Indonesia’s Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), opened an Anti-Money Laundering/Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) training program at the Jakarta Center for Law Enforcement Cooperation in Semarang today.

The program, designed by USAID’s Financial Crime Prevention Project, brings together all sectors of the anti-money laundering and anti-financial crimes regime in Indonesia in a one-week participatory training program that supports Indonesia’s efforts to continue to improve its anti-money laundering and anti-corruption regime. Susno Duadji, Deputy Head of FIU, and William Foerderer, Director of USAID’s Economic Growth Team opened the program.

The Training Program will equip private and public sector participants to better identify and enforce AML/CFT strategies. Senior professionals from banks’ compliance departments, Bank Indonesia, the Financial Intelligence Unit, the Corruption Eradication Commission, the Supreme Audit Board, the Ministry of Finance Inspector General, the National Police, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Courts attended the training.

The Financial Action Task Force removed Indonesia from the Non-Cooperative Countries and Territories Money Laundering List on February 11, 2005 further opening the door for Indonesia to shape a positive international image as country that is cracking down on corruption and financial crimes. The AML/CFT training program directly supports Indonesia’s continued efforts to improve its fight against corruption, and in its efforts to combat corruption.

USAID’s two-year, $3.2 million Financial Crimes Prevention Project will strengthen the capacity of public and private institutions. The project will assist in the strengthening the linkages between the Financial Intelligence Unit and organizations in Indonesia, and with its counterparts in the region and around the world, to detect and prevent financial crimes and corruption. According to William Foerderer, “FCPP’s work is an important element in the much broader effort to improve Indonesia’s business and investment climate. Countering financial crime is essential for domestic and foreign investors who will help to generate future growth, jobs and prosperity in Indonesia.”

For further information on USAID activities contact Betina Moreira at bmoreira@usaid.gov or 3435-9424.

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