Governor declared suspect

Governor declared suspect

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Kupang Police have declared East Nusa Tenggara Governor Piet A. Tallo a suspect in a corruption case involving a health facility project worth Rp 15 billion (US$1.83 million), causing the state to suffer Rp 3.83 billion in losses.

"I will request a letter of permission from President Megawati Soekarnoputri on Monday through the East Nusa Tenggara Police chief to examine Tallo as a suspect in the corruption allegation," Kupang Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Viktor Simanjuntak said on Sunday.

Tallo was just re-elected as governor on June 19.

The police have heard the opinions on the allegation of legal experts Prof. Dr. Natabaya, who is an expert adviser at the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights, and former minister of justice and human rights Prof. Dr. Muladi.

"Should the state suffer material losses from the project, the official who allowed this to happen should be held responsible," Simanjutak quoted both experts.

In the meantime, the police are still waiting for the president's response. -- Antara