Anita Rachman & Markus Junianto Sihaloho – Legislators have expressed doubt that the money trail in the controversial Rp 6.7 trillion ($784 million) bailout of Bank Century will ever be resolved, following the death on Monday of the lender's single biggest account holder.

Priyo Budi Santoso, a deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, said on Tuesday that the death of Boedi Sampoerna, a member of the powerful Sampoerna business family, an ally of the president and one of Indonesia's richest men, deprived investigators of the main witness who could reveal where the money from the bailout went.

"Information obtained by the House showed that he was one of the key persons who should have been be probed further in the case," he said. "But as you can see, the KPK [Corruption Eradication Commission] is stuck. It hasn't made any progress at all in the Bank Century saga."

The KPK is expected to submit the final report of its long-running probe into possible wrongdoing in the bailout to the House next month, ending the term of the House inquiry committee set up in early 2010 to oversee parallel investigations by the antigraft commission, the police and the Attorney General's Office.

To date, none of the three agencies has uncovered any indication of corruption, despite the House adopting a resolution that the bailout was unwarranted and the distribution of funds flawed.

The KPK previously summoned Boedi for questioning over allegations that he possibly withdrew $18 million of the $200 million he had deposited at the bank at around the time of the bailout. "Now the fog is getting thicker with his passing," said Priyo, a member of the Golkar Party.

Mahfudz Siddiq, from the Prosperous Justice Party (PKS), said Boedi's death should not stop the pursuit of justice in the Century case because he was not the only witness out there. "Robert Tantular is still alive," he said, referring to the former Century stakeholder who has been serving time in prison for bank fraud.

"The officials involved with the bailout process, including those from Bank Indonesia and the Finance Ministry, are alive as well. The case shouldn't be stopped just because of Boedi Sampoerna's death."

However, Ganjar Pranowo, from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), said Boedi's death on Monday evening, provided yet another obstacle for law enforcement agencies trying to get to the bottom of the case. "His death means a key witness cannot be asked to testify," he said.

Bambang Soesatyo, a Golkar legislator, agreed that Boedi's death "will add problems to the investigation, but it won't kill the whole investigation."

Tjahjo Kumolo, the PDI-P secretary general, urged the government and law enforcers to refocus their attention on the Century case and not get distracted by the ongoing saga over former Democratic party treasurer and graft fugitive Muhammad Nazaruddin, who was arrested in Colombia on Sunday.

He said the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) and the House had found clear indications of irregularities in the bailout process, so it was imperative to get to the bottom of it. "We appreciate Nazaruddin's arrest, but please don't forget Bank Century case," Tjahjo said. "There must be clear political will to resolve the matter."

Meanwhile, a lawyer for the Sampoerna family said Boedi would be buried at the Puncak Nirwana cemetery in Surabaya on Thursday.

Eman Achmad Sulaeman said that Boedi, born Liem Seng Thee in 1937, had been struggling with cancer since October 2010. The cancer started in his tongue before spreading to his throat. Forbes put the Sampoerna family's wealth at the end of 2010 at $2.3 billion.

[Additional reporting from Antara.]