19 councillors named suspects

PALU, Central Sulawesi: Central Sulawesi Police named as suspects on Friday 19 councillors for their alleged involvement in the embezzlement of Rp 2.9 billion (US$322,222) in Buol regency budgetary funds between 2001 and 2004.

Central Sulawesi chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Tatang Somantri division, said the councillors had been named suspects after a report on the alleged corruption published by the Institute for Human Rights and Legal Studies Development three months ago. The study showed various methods used by the councillors to embezzle the state money, including funding requests for fictitious trips.

He said the police had asked the Central Sulawesi governor to approve the questioning of the councillors. -- JP