Corruption trial postponed by no-show

AMBON, Maluku: The Ambon District Court in Maluku was forced to postpone a trial involving the misuse of aid for refugees when Ambon deputy mayor Syarif Hadler failed to appear on Saturday.

Hadler was scheduled to testify in the trial as a witness.

Prosecutor Isak Imblabla said the deputy mayor was unable to appear because of his heavy workload.

The case surfaced after a report alleged an official identified only by the initials AKT embezzled Rp 150 million (US$17,647) meant to pay for the transportation of 1,000 tons of rice aid.

The deputy mayor is thought to know the details of the distribution network for the rice. --Antara