Graft in website project probed

PADANG, West Sumatra: Prosecutors here said on Monday they were looking into an alleged corruption case over the creation of a website worth up to Rp 1.95 billion (195,000) by the Mentawai Islands administration.

West Sumatra Prosecutor's Office head Antasari Azhar said he had signed a letter ordering the investigation into the case in connection with the installment of mentawaionline.com using money from Mentawai's 2003 budget.

"I have appointed a team of prosecutors who will begin questioning witnesses on Thursday," he added.

Team member Situmorang said the markup case was unveiled following an intelligence operation by his office.

"We have checked it with several information and technology experts and there are indications that the money for the website project was embezzled," he added. --JP