Graft convict escapes from jail

SURABAYA, East Java (JP): Wijanarko Salim, the convict in a Rp 2.6 billion (US$1.1 million) embezzlement case escaped while he was under medical treatment at a hospital Wednesday, a report said yesterday.

Wijanarko was found guilty of embezzling a fund earmarked for the construction of new buildings at the Teachers Training and Education Institute and was sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail.

Chief of the East Java Police Headquarters Maj. Gen. Roesmanhadi, head of the East Java High Court Hasan Ghassin Sahab and chief of the East Java Prosecutors' Office Soedjono C. Atmonegoro said that Wijanarko was able to escape from the hospital because of lack of coordination between their three institutions.

The three officials also agreed to request that the immigration office issue a travel ban on Wijanarko, following his escape from the Adi Husada private hospital at 8:55 a.m. on Wednesday, Antara reported. (imn)