Ex-governor challenges prosecutors

PADANG, West Sumatra: Former Governor Hasan Basri Durin denied on Tuesday having committed any wrongdoing and challenged the provincial prosecutors' office to prove allegations that he was involved in corruption during his term in office.

"If prosecutors can prove that I am corrupt, try me," said Hasan, who served as West Sumatra governor for two consecutive terms, from 1987 to 1992 and 1992 to 1997.

Prosecutors named Hasan as a suspect last week, alleging that the former minister of agriculture had misused a total of Rp 2 billion from the provincial budget during his tenure to purchase cars for local councillors.

Besides being named a suspect, prosecutors also required Hasan to report to the office twice a week in a bid to prevent him from absconding.

"The obligation is just to monitor his whereabouts," prosecutor Tarmizi Mal said, adding that Hasan often made out of town trips.

According to Hasan, use of the provincial budget to purchase cars for the councillors had been agreed to by the minister of home affairs.(28)