Ancol case to continue

JAKARTA (JP): The head of the Jakarta Prosecutor's Office, Basrief Arief, pledged on Thursday to continue the investigation of the Ancol scandal, despite the fact that several of the officials suspected of involvement in the case had retired.

"Why not? We will continue the investigation although they have retired," Basrief said after attending a meeting at City Hall.

He said the investigation was currently on hold pending presidential permission to question Governor Sutiyoso as a witness in the case.

Sutiyoso ordered the retirement of several officials, including the City Development Agency head Bambang Soengkono and City Planning Agency head Ahmaddin Ahmad, who were allegedly involved in the scandal.

The scandal revolves around the doubling of allowance money for several city officials and 16 councillors who traveled to Australia, Japan and South Africa last year.

Basrief said "an evaluation" of the investigation of the councillors would be completed next week, at which time it would be decided whether the case would be continued.

The tripe were financed out of the 2000 city budget and by city-owned PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol. (jun)