Bali officials named graft suspects

The Jakarta Post, Denpasar

Some 20 legislators in Bali were named suspects by the local prosecutor's office on Wednesday in an alleged corruption case involving state funds worth Rp 187.97 billion (about US$20.43 million).

Head of the Bali Prosecutor's Office Barman Zahir said that five of the suspects were members of the Bali provincial legislative council, while the other 15 were members of nine local regental and municipal councils.

They were accused of involvement in corruption during the previous 1999-2004 term. Most of the legislators have retained positions on the councils for the current five-year term.

Barman did not reveal the identity of the suspects, except for their initials.

The move by the Bali Prosecutor's Office came amid the administration of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's campaign to curb widespread corruption in the country, which, according to a recent survey, is one of the world's most corrupt nations.

Five legislators from the provincial council -- IBW, MM, IGS, GI, and IGRW -- were accused of embezzling some Rp 50.8 billion worth of funds.

Meanwhile, four legislators from Buleleng regental council, including NSD, IGWD, MS, and NGA, have been accused of embezzling some Rp 8.6 billion worth of funds, Barman said.

He added that some Rp 2.3 billion in funds had been embezzled by legislators from Jembrana regency, while a senior legislator who goes by the initial of IKS from Denpasar municipality was accused of misusing some Rp 32.9 billion.

Other legislators from Badung, Klungkung, and Karangasem, Tabanan, Gianyar, and Bangli regencies were also named suspects.

Barman said that his office had not detained the suspects in order not to disrupt council activities.