12 councillors named graft suspects

SEMARANG: Twelve councillors with the Central Java Provincial Legislative Council were named suspects on Tuesday for allegedly embezzling Rp 14 billion (US$1.5 million) of the province's 2003 budget.

Among the 12 councillors were 1999-2004 council chairman Mardijo from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), deputy chairmen Moch. Hasbi from Golkar Party, Achmad Thoyfur from the United Development Party (PPP) and Ircham Abdurrohim from the National Awakening Party (PKB), according to Slamet Wahyudi, an official at Central Java Prosecutor's Office.

The 12 councillors were part of a total of 100 councillors who served on the provincial council for the 1999-2004 term. -- JP