Governor seeks release of graft suspect

Governor seeks release of graft suspect

PALEMBANG, South Sumatera: South Sumatra Governor Rosihan Arsyad has asked the provincial attorney's office to release local forestry office head Syaiful Ramadhan, who is being detained on graft charges.

Ramadhan, who was arrested on Jan. 17, is suspected of embezzling around Rp 9.4 billion of reforestation and other state funds.

Rosihan's request was outlined in his letter dated Jan. 18 to the local chief prosecutor. The governor said Ramadhan should be freed because it was crucial that he be allowed to perform his daily state duties.

The letter said the governor guaranteed that the suspect would not attempt to flee justice and would comply with prosecutors' summons. --JP