Golkar gubernatorial candidate named suspect<\/p>\n
Yongker Rumthe, The Jakarta Post, Manado<\/p>\n
Golkar legislator Nurdin Halid has been declared a suspect in the
\nmisappropriation of Rp 91 billion (US$9.7 million) in funds
\nbelonging to local clove farmers during the period 1991-1996.<\/p>\n
North Sulawesi Prosecutor's Office head Martinus Manoi said
\nrecently that the authority would soon conduct further
\ninvestigation into the case.<\/p>\n
In addition to his position as a legislator, Nurdin currently
\nchairs the central board of village cooperatives (INKUD).<\/p>\n
\"We have assessed the case and have come to the conclusion
\nthat there is strong evidence implicating the chairman in the
\nmisappropriation of Rp 91 billion,\" Manoi said here on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
A number of Golkar leaders, including Akbar Tandjung and
\nGinandjar Kartasasmita have been implicated in graft cases.<\/p>\n
Manoi confirmed that his office would soon accelerate the
\ninvestigation into Nurdin's graft case, saying that he had signed
\nthe letter of approval.<\/p>\n
He also disclosed that his office would increase the number of
\nprosecutors to four. They are Nursyamsu Uma Tjima, Immanuel
\nPanjaitan, Syaifudin Kasim, and Manorus Butarbutar.<\/p>\n
Manoi added that he would soon seek approval from President
\nMegawati Soekarnoputri before the giving the prosecutors the go
\nahead to question Nurdin.<\/p>\n
Nurdin has also been declared suspect in another graft case,
\nthe distribution of cooking oil worth Rp 169 billion ($18
\nmillion) in Makassar, South Sulawesi.<\/p>\n
Although Nurdin has been declared suspect, Kompas has reported
\nthat he was nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan) to run for the South Sulawesi
\ngovernorship for the 2003-2008 term.<\/p>\n
PDI Perjuangan is known for its support of controversial
\nfigures. Earlier, the nation's largest party had backed the
\nreelection of Sutiyoso for Jakarta governor.<\/p>\n
Many Jakarta residents believe Sutiyoso is unfit to lead
\nJakarta as a result of his alleged involvement in the bloody
\nincident at PDI headquarters in the capital city on July 27,
\n1996.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/golkar-gubernatorial-candidate-named-suspect-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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