Golkar gubernatorial candidate named suspect

Yongker Rumthe, The Jakarta Post, Manado

Golkar legislator Nurdin Halid has been declared a suspect in the misappropriation of Rp 91 billion (US$9.7 million) in funds belonging to local clove farmers during the period 1991-1996.

North Sulawesi Prosecutor's Office head Martinus Manoi said recently that the authority would soon conduct further investigation into the case.

In addition to his position as a legislator, Nurdin currently chairs the central board of village cooperatives (INKUD).

"We have assessed the case and have come to the conclusion that there is strong evidence implicating the chairman in the misappropriation of Rp 91 billion," Manoi said here on Tuesday.

A number of Golkar leaders, including Akbar Tandjung and Ginandjar Kartasasmita have been implicated in graft cases.

Manoi confirmed that his office would soon accelerate the investigation into Nurdin's graft case, saying that he had signed the letter of approval.

He also disclosed that his office would increase the number of prosecutors to four. They are Nursyamsu Uma Tjima, Immanuel Panjaitan, Syaifudin Kasim, and Manorus Butarbutar.

Manoi added that he would soon seek approval from President Megawati Soekarnoputri before the giving the prosecutors the go ahead to question Nurdin.

Nurdin has also been declared suspect in another graft case, the distribution of cooking oil worth Rp 169 billion ($18 million) in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Although Nurdin has been declared suspect, Kompas has reported that he was nominated by the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) to run for the South Sulawesi governorship for the 2003-2008 term.

PDI Perjuangan is known for its support of controversial figures. Earlier, the nation's largest party had backed the reelection of Sutiyoso for Jakarta governor.

Many Jakarta residents believe Sutiyoso is unfit to lead Jakarta as a result of his alleged involvement in the bloody incident at PDI headquarters in the capital city on July 27, 1996.