Legislator refuses to be interrogated<\/p>\n
Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang<\/p>\n
West Sumatra legislature chairman Arwan Kasri has refused to be
\ninterrogated by the prosecutor's office who are investigating
\nalleged corruption in the provincial legislative council.<\/p>\n
Halius Hosen, chief of the prosecutor's office in Padang, West
\nSumatra, regretted Arwan's refusal to cooperate, saying his
\ndecision would prolong the investigation.<\/p>\n
\"Arwan Kasri should set a good example to other councillors to
\nencourage legal certainty and law enforcement in the legislative
\nbody,\" he told reporters here recently.<\/p>\n
The prosecutor's office has already questioned the secretary
\nof the legislature's treasurer and determined the council's 2002
\nbudget contains discrepancies.<\/p>\n
The investigation was launched after a number of corruption
\ncomplaints from members of the public.<\/p>\n
M. Zen Gomo, a councillor from the local chapter of the
\nNational Mandate Party, has refused to appear for work following
\nthe presentation of the controversial budget.<\/p>\n
He said he would only return once the legislative council
\nrevised the budget.<\/p>\n
The budget has sparked criticism from numerous university
\nstudent bodies, but their demands have been ignored.<\/p>\n
The budget allocates Rp 1.7 billion for insurance for the 55
\ncouncil members and Rp 1.32 billion for councillor's welfare.<\/p>\n
\"How come the provincial budget is so easily corrupted by
\ncouncil members,\" student field coordinator Rustam Effendi said.<\/p>\n
\"This is clearly corruption,\" said Elwi Dhanil, a legal expert
\nfrom Andalas University.<\/p>\n
Halius said his office would force Arwan Kasri to cooperate
\nwith investigators.<\/p>\n
Arwan would not comment on the reasons for his lack of
\ncooperation.<\/p>\n
\"It is true that I have rejected being questioned but I don't
\nwant to comment on my reasons.\"<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/legislator-refuses-to-be-interrogated-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}