69 councillors to be grilled over graft allegation

Oyos Saroso H.N., The Jakarta Post, Bandarlampung

Following a green light from the Central government, Lampung Prosecutor's Office will soon question 69 councillors from Lampung provincial council for their alleged roles in the Rp 19.5 billion (US$2 million) graft case. Earlier, the provincial prosecutors have already questioned six councillors for their respective roles in the high profile graft case.

"The questioning will be held immediately. In the meantime, we are completing the dossiers on the six council leaders and we will soon hand over the dossiers to the court for prosecution," said Zainal Abidin, the deputy chief of Lampung prosecutor's office.

Minister of Home Affairs Hari Sabarno gave the green light on Monday during his visit to Bandar Lampung, the capital of Lampung province. Hari said that the prosecutors should not need to wait for his written approval and from now on, they could proceed with the investigations.

The corruption case was brought to light two years ago when several activists reported their findings to prosecutors on the alleged corruption of the Lampung 2001 and 2002 provincial budgets.

The activists alleged that 75 councillors had collectively embezzled a total of Rp 19.5 billion from the budget.

They said that the councillors were found to have marked up the budget allocation.

The investigation into the 75 Lampung provincial councillors is being held amid current investigations and prosecution into other fellow councillors nationwide, including Padang municipal council in West Sumatra province and West Nusa Tenggara provincial council.

Selected regions where several/most/all council members were prosecuted/convicted on graft charges in 2004

Regions (Alleged) sum involved Status

Kampar, Riau Rp 1.13 b (US$ 118.42) suspects

Cirebon, West Java Rp 1.3 b suspects

Lampung Rp 19.5 b suspects

Padang, West Sumatra Rp 10.4 b suspects

West Sumatra Rp 6.48 b convicted

Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi Rp 1.9 b suspects

West Nusa Tenggara Rp 24.2 b suspects

From various sources