Aid for quake victims embezzled

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)