Four more regents to face graft probes<\/p>\n
Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono granted permission on Tuesday
\nfor police to probe four more regents in Kalimantan and East Nusa
\nTenggara for alleged corruption.<\/p>\n
\"This morning the President signed letters of approval for the
\ninvestigation and questioning of several regents,\" presidential
\nspokesman Andi Mallarangeng told journalists in Jakarta.<\/p>\n
He said the four graft suspects were the North Barito and
\nSouth Barito regents in South Kalimantan, and the South Timor
\nTengah and East Flores regents.<\/p>\n
\"It shows that the President is serious about fighting
\ncorruption,\" Andi said.<\/p>\n
He said the four regents would bring the number to at least 31
\nsenior officials currently being questioned for corruption -- 17
\nregents, three mayors and four governors, as well as seven
\nmembers of the House of Representatives.<\/p>\n
Among the four governors was Abdullah Puteh, who was recently
\nsuspended as the governor of tsunami-hit Aceh province. He is
\ncurrently standing trial on corruption charges by the Corruption
\nEradication Commission (KPK).<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, East Nusa Tenggara police chief Brig. Gen. Edward
\nAritonang said his office would soon question Kupang Regent
\nIbrahim Agustinus and Rote Ndao Regent Christian Nehemia for
\ngraft.<\/p>\n
The two regents were accused of pocketing Rp 400 million
\n(US$44,444) over the procurement of two fishing ships worth Rp
\n900 million.<\/p>\n
East Nusa Tenggara police spokesman Comr. Marthen Radja said
\nPresident Susilo approved the police of questioning Ibrahim and
\nChristian in November 2004.<\/p>\n
However, the presidential permission was received by the East
\nNusa Tenggara police on Dec. 31, 2004 from the National Police
\nHeadquarters in Jakarta, Marthen added.<\/p>\n
The graft case surfaced following a report from residents that
\nthe two regents allegedly marked up the price of two fishing
\nships in 2003, when Christian worked under the development
\nsecretary of the Kupang regental administration.<\/p>\n
According to the report, the price of the two ships was Rp 500
\nmillion but the Kupang administration purchased them for Rp 900
\nmillion, marking it up Rp 400 million.<\/p>\n
Since Susilo was sworn in as the country's sixth president on
\nOct. 20, he has vowed to stamp out an endemic culture of bribery,
\nkickbacks and collusion.<\/p>\n
Indonesia has been rated by global watchdog Transparency
\nInternational as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.<\/p>",
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