Firm owner tried for corruption

MANADO, North Sulawesi: A private company owner in Jakarta, identified only as BS, went on trial yesterday for altering land acquisition documents in an attempt to defraud the state out of Rp 1.8 billion (approximately US$ 762,388).

Antara reported that Prosecutor B. Hutabarat accused BS and an accomplice, identified as AR, of forging documents for a plot of land they bought from residents in the area surrounding Samratulangi airport.

The two then inflated the value of the 196,353-square-meter plot and sold it to the provincial government, which is planning to expand the airport. (swe)