NTB governor cleared of graft charges<\/p>\n
The Jakarta Post, Mataram, Jambi\/Padang<\/p>\n
In a surprise move on Monday, prosecutors retracted an earlier
\nstatement naming West Nusa Tenggara Governor (NTB) Lalu Serinate
\na suspect in the embezzlement of Rp 24 billion (US$2.6 million)
\nfrom the 2001\/2002 provincial budget.<\/p>\n
The governor was removed as a suspect even though he was never
\nquestioned over the case by prosecutors<\/p>\n
All of this happened after Ahmad Zainal Arifin was installed
\nas the new head of the NTB Prosecutor's Office.<\/p>\n
Senior prosecutor Parwata Kusuma had previously, and
\nrepeatedly, said that at least 18 local councillors and
\ngovernment officials, including Serinate, were suspects in the
\ncorruption case.<\/p>\n
But Arifin said on Monday there were only 12 suspects in the
\ncase and the remaining six people were merely witnesses.<\/p>\n
\"Since I assumed my post as chief prosecutor here, there are
\nonly 12 suspects in the corruption case, including NTB
\nlegislative council speaker Sunardi Ayub. Governor Lalu Serinate
\nis not among the suspects,\" Arifin said.<\/p>\n
He claimed his office had never issued a letter declaring the
\ngovernor a suspect in the case.<\/p>\n
Parwata, who publicly announced that the governor was a
\nsuspect, has been replaced as the assistant to the chief of the
\nspecial crimes division at the prosecutor's office.<\/p>\n
In other matters, Arifin said his office had named the head of
\nthe Sumbawa logistics agency, Jack Nouvel Ali Alcaff, and one of
\nhis subordinates, Suharjono, as suspects in the misuse of Rp 3
\nbillion earmarked last year to purchase rice for the poor.<\/p>\n
\"I have ordered the arrest of the two suspects,\" Arifin said.<\/p>\n
Jack and Suharjono have reportedly fled their homes and are
\nbeing considered fugitives.<\/p>\n
In Jambi, the spokesman for the local prosecutor's office,
\nAndi Azhari, said on Monday his office would soon question East
\nTanjungjabung Regent Abdullah Hich and the entire regency
\nlegislative council for the 1999-2004 term over possible budget
\nirregularities.<\/p>\n
Five of the 30 councillors from the previous term were
\nreelected during the April 5 legislative election.<\/p>\n
Abdullah reportedly approved a Rp 3.6 billion allocation from
\nthe regency budget to pay the councillors a bonus when they ended
\ntheir five-year term in August. Each councillor reportedly
\nreceived Rp 120 million.<\/p>\n
An investigation into the case began in October and 10
\ncouncillors have been summoned by prosecutors. However, only six
\nof the councillors answered the summons.<\/p>\n
Azhari said the regent would be questioned only after all 30
\nof the councillors had been investigated.<\/p>\n
The spokesman said other government officials in the East
\nTanjungjabung administration could be named as suspects in the
\ncase, depending on the results of the investigation.<\/p>\n
\"We hope to complete the investigation within three months,\"
\nAzhari told The Jakarta Post.<\/p>\n
He said the money for the councillors' bonus came from the
\nregency's 2002\/2003 budget, in violation of Government Regulation
\nNo. 110\/2004 banning such payments.<\/p>\n
Jambi Governor Zulkifli Nurdin said he supported all efforts
\nto create good governance in the province, and promised to give
\npolice and prosecutors permission to summon any official
\nimplicated in a graft case.<\/p>\n
In West Sumatra, the Padang Prosecutor's Office placed former
\nmayor Zuiyen Rais under city arrest on Monday for alleged
\ncorruption.<\/p>\n
Zuiyen, along with 41 former Padang councillors, was named a
\nsuspect in the embezzlement of Rp 10.4 billion from the city's
\n2001\/2002 budget.<\/p>\n
The former mayor, accompanied by lawyer Khaidir Gani, arrived
\nat the Padang Prosecutor's Office on Monday but refused to speak
\nto journalists.<\/p>\n
Local chief prosecutor Muharnis said Zuiyen was banned from
\nleaving the city for 20 days, effective as of Monday.<\/p>\n
Muharnis said his office would soon file a court case against
\nZuiyen.<\/p>\n
In a recent string of cases, government officials across
\nIndonesia have been named corruption suspects. Indonesia was
\nrecently ranked by graft watchdog Transparency International as
\nthe world's fifth most corrupt country.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ntb-governor-cleared-of-graft-charges-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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