Four more regents to face graft probes
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.