Civil servant jailed for corruption

KENDARI, Southeast Sulawesi: The Kendari District Court sentenced a staff member of the local social affairs office to three-and-a-half-years in prison for embezzling Rp 1.6 billion from funds earmarked for refugees in the province.

Judge Hakim Murad Puasi -- who presided over the hearing on Saturday -- said that Lipin, 34, had been proven guilty of violating Law No. 20/2001 on corruption.

"The defendant must also pay a Rp 50 million fine," he said.

He explained the defendant had embezzled the money when he was employed to handle funds allocated to refugees in Angata district. He had falsely reported that there were almost 2,000 refugees in the district, he said.

Lipin's lawyers said they would appeal the decision. -- Antara