Funds leakage probed in Riau Islands

Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru

Several top officials from the Riau Islands regency administration, including Regent Huzrin Hood, have been implicated in the disappearance of Rp 87.2 billion from the regency's 2001 budget.

The chief of the government prosecutor's office in Pekanbaru, Moch Huzaini, said that so far seven officials had been interrogated but none had been held as suspects.

The seven officials were Amin Muchtar, an assistant to the regent on administrative affairs, administration secretary Andi Rivai Siregar, Azhar Yunus, Agus Riyanto and Aris Munandar, all three from the local settlement and infrastructure office, Amiruddin, secretary of the regency legislature and Mursal Muchdar, chief of the administration's financial affairs.

Huzaini said Agus Azhar, chief of the local resettlement and infrastructure office, was interrogated in connection with a fictitious road repair project worth Rp 7 billion in Singkep subdistrict.

Riyanto and Munandar, who are known to be close to Hood, were investigated because both were directly involved in the fictitious project.

Huzaini said further that his office's investigation would focus on the regional administration secretary and Hood himself, because all expenditure and income were paid and received with the knowledge of the two officials.

He said he could say nothing about the investigation because it has yet to be completed.

He vowed to be transparent and objective in carrying out the investigation.

The scandal was raised when the Supreme Audit Agency (BPK) presented its audit of the administration two months ago. The regent has rejected several invitations by the legislative council to discuss the BPK's findings.

The funds were allegedly used by the regent to seek political support from the local people and the House of Representatives to develop the Riau archipelago, including Batam and Natuna, and to separate from Riau to form a new province.

The central government has decided to postpone the proposed formation of the new province following objections from the Natuna and the Riau provincial administration.

Mursal Muchdar conceded that he had been interrogated in connection with the alleged corruption but declined to give further elaboration.

"I'm sorry, I can't give comment now," he said.