Aid for quake victims embezzled

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Lampung University student activists demanded yesterday that the results of an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of aid for Liwa quake victims be made public.

They marched to the provincial legislative council to call for transparent handling of the scandal. They threatened to go to the Jakarta-based House of Representatives and the National Commission on Human Rights if the authorities "froze" the case.

The aid, to rebuild facilities damaged or destroyed the 1994 quake, came from the Asian Development Bank, Antara said, adding that several billions of rupiah were unaccounted for.

The earthquake shook the Liwa regency on Feb. 16, 1994, killing 200 people.

"We will take the case to the House and Commission on Human Rights if investigation results are not made public in the near future. We don't care who the culprits are," said student activist Ahmad Jahri.

The students allege the embezzlement involved senior provincial government officials. Some of them have been questioned by prosecutors. (pan)