Ex-council speaker jailed for graft

MALANG, East Java: A district court here sentenced on Tuesday a former speaker of the Malang municipal council to one year and six months in prison for graft.

Former council speaker Sri Rahayu was found guilty of receiving operational and insurance allowances amounting to Rp 27.5 million (US$2,750) between 1999 and 2004. Receiving such allowances is illegal as it is not covered in any law or regulation.

The prison sentence was far more lenient than the three years sought by the prosecutor.

The defendant said she would appeal. -- JP