Former regent gets travel ban

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Facing charges of embezzling public funds, former Langkat regent Zulkifli Harahap is seeking the attorney general's permission to leave the country for medical treatment in Beijing, Antara reported on Friday.

Anwar Dirham, an official at the North Sumatra provincial prosecutor's office, said dossiers on Zulkifli had been submitted to the Stabat District Court for trial in the near future.

Zulkifli, along with Zulpan Hasibuan and Suyitno, two officials of the Langkat regency administration, are suspected of embezzling Rp 4 billion (US$570,000) during his tenure from 1993 to 1998.

Zulkifli is being treated in a hospital in Jakarta. (rms)