37 officials implicated in Mentawai graft case

Kasparman Piliang, The Jakarta Post, Padang, West Sumatra

At least 37 officials in Mentawai regency, West Sumatra, have been implicated in the alleged embezzlement of Rp 24 billion (US$2.82 million) in state funds from last year's budget.

Six of the officials have been detained for questioning as suspects, including Mentawai administration secretary Ridwan Siritubui and former regency treasurer D. Lubis and his successor Ardi.

The other three suspects are Rika Asmita, an official in the treasurer's office, and Zainal Ibrahim and Suardi Kesra, senior officials in the local development planning agency.

The six officials were taken into custody on July 9 and are being detained at the West Sumatra Prosecutor's Office.

"They have been charged with corruption," prosecutor Khaidir Ramli told The Jakarta Post in Padang on Tuesday.

He said 31 other officials had been questioned as witnesses in the graft case, and could be declared suspects if sufficient evidence was found.

The case surfaced after an audit found indications that Rp 24 billion had been embezzled from the Mentawai administration's budget, which totaled Rp 145 billion.

The questionable funds include Rp 8.1 billion that was loaned to 91 officials and members of the local legislative council without sufficient explanation.

These officials were allegedly allowed to borrow the money only after obtaining written or verbal approval from either Mentawai Regent Edison Saleleubaja or Ridwan Siritubui.

The regent has not been detained or charged in this case.

"The whole process itself of these loans was a breach of regulations," Ramli said.

The remaining Rp 15.9 billion in questionable funds was part of the routine funds for the Mentawai secretary's office.

Ramli said witnesses have told investigators the money was spent for the benefit of local officials, with the approval of Ridwan.

Some of the funds have been returned to the authorities but have not yet reached the state coffers, the prosecutor added.

Graft allegations have been raised by several groups in Mentawai, which became a regency two years ago.

Three months ago, a non-governmental organization urged Attorney General M.A. Rachmann to investigate the case when he installed a new head of the Mentawai Prosecutor's Office.

Also in North Sumatra, prosecutors last week named at least 41 members of the Padang Legislative Council as suspects in a Rp 8.9 billion corruption case.

Among the suspects are council speaker Maigus Nasir and his deputies Chairul Indra and Muhidi.

The prosecutors said an investigation had uncovered irregularities in the drafting of the 2001/2002 Padang administration budget.