Ex-mayor, 17 officials probed over graft<\/p>\n
Nana Rukmana, The Jakarta Post, Cirebon, West Java<\/p>\n
The state prosecutor's office in Cirebon, West Java, is
\ninvestigating a former Cirebon mayor and 17 senior officials in
\nthe municipality over alleged corruption worth Rp 1.5 billion in
\n2001.<\/p>\n
The former mayor, identified as LS, and 17 serving officials,
\nhave been under investigation for two months and the results,
\nwhich will be announced to the public in a few days, show that
\nthere is strong prima facie evidence of their involvement in the
\ncase.<\/p>\n
Chief of the Cirebon prosecutor's office Suraini Dahlan said
\nhere on Tuesday that the investigation into those allegedly
\ninvolved was nearing completion, and all those being investigated
\nwould be declared suspects in a few days.<\/p>\n
\"The investigation results will be announced to the public
\nshortly,\" she said.<\/p>\n
In the meantime, Cirebon Mayor Subardi hailed the probe,
\nsaying the case should be investigated thoroughly.<\/p>\n
\"I will not protect any of my subordinates suspected of
\ninvolvement in this case. Those found guilty will certainly be
\ndismissed. There is no more room for corrupt officials in the
\nmunicipality as we are campaigning to create clean government
\nhere,\" he said.<\/p>\n
She added that the 17 officials were appointed by LS.<\/p>\n
Subardi said he knew nothing about the case as it occurred in
\n2001 while he only took office in April, 2003.<\/p>\n
\"Nevertheless, the case must be investigated thoroughly and
\nall those involved brought to justice. This is a good opportunity
\nfor us all to cleanse the municipal administration of corruption
\nand collusion,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Suraini explained that the funds were embezzled from the
\nmunicipality's 2001 budget when LS was still in power and the 17
\nofficials undergoing investigation were serving as his close
\naides.<\/p>\n
\"Based on the investigation, they used the embezzled funds to
\nenrich themselves,\" she said, while asking newsmen not to expose
\nthe identities of those involved so as to respect the presumption
\nof innocence.<\/p>\n
She declined to elaborate on how the money was embezzled, but
\nsaid she was considering questioning a number of members of the
\nCirebon legislative council because the budget was approved by
\nthe municipal legislature.<\/p>\n
\"There is a possibility that the councillors who approved the
\nbudget will be questioned if the investigation is widened to
\ninclude the legislative council,\" she said.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ex-mayor-17-officials-probed-over-graft-1447893297",
"image": ""
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