Four more regents to face graft probes

Fabiola Desy Unidjaja, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono granted permission on Tuesday for police to probe four more regents in Kalimantan and East Nusa Tenggara for alleged corruption.

"This morning the President signed letters of approval for the investigation and questioning of several regents," presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng told journalists in Jakarta.

He said the four graft suspects were the North Barito and South Barito regents in South Kalimantan, and the South Timor Tengah and East Flores regents.

"It shows that the President is serious about fighting corruption," Andi said.

He said the four regents would bring the number to at least 31 senior officials currently being questioned for corruption -- 17 regents, three mayors and four governors, as well as seven members of the House of Representatives.

Among the four governors was Abdullah Puteh, who was recently suspended as the governor of tsunami-hit Aceh province. He is currently standing trial on corruption charges by the Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK).

Meanwhile, East Nusa Tenggara police chief Brig. Gen. Edward Aritonang said his office would soon question Kupang Regent Ibrahim Agustinus and Rote Ndao Regent Christian Nehemia for graft.

The two regents were accused of pocketing Rp 400 million (US$44,444) over the procurement of two fishing ships worth Rp 900 million.

East Nusa Tenggara police spokesman Comr. Marthen Radja said President Susilo approved the police of questioning Ibrahim and Christian in November 2004.

However, the presidential permission was received by the East Nusa Tenggara police on Dec. 31, 2004 from the National Police Headquarters in Jakarta, Marthen added.

The graft case surfaced following a report from residents that the two regents allegedly marked up the price of two fishing ships in 2003, when Christian worked under the development secretary of the Kupang regental administration.

According to the report, the price of the two ships was Rp 500 million but the Kupang administration purchased them for Rp 900 million, marking it up Rp 400 million.

Since Susilo was sworn in as the country's sixth president on Oct. 20, he has vowed to stamp out an endemic culture of bribery, kickbacks and collusion.

Indonesia has been rated by global watchdog Transparency International as one of the most corrupt countries in the world.