Health official denies graft

Health official denies graft

MAUMERE, East Nusa Tenggara: The head of local the health
office, Pangkrasio Iskandar, denied on Wednesday allegations that
he had skimmed Rp 420 million (US$48,000) off Rp 65 billion in
foreign aid for the regency's social safety net program.

But Pangkrasio acknowledged that he was questioned by Regent
Gaspar Parang Ehok, chief of local prosecutor's office Soeprapto
and regional inspector general Nico Beda over the alleged
scandal.

"It's just a groundless rumor. I have told everything to the
regent about the allegation, which lacks evidence," Pangkrasio
said.

A source told The Jakarta Post that Pangkrasio allegedly
deposited the money in his personal accounts at BRI and BNI state
banks. The source also suspected that Pangkrasio used some of the
money to build a luxurious house.

"That's not true," he retorted. "I deposited funds in the
state banks upon request of chiefs of subdistricts which were
selected as recipients of the fund."

As for his luxurious house, he said he used money he had saved
over 10 years to pay for the construction.

Despite Pangkrasio's defense, the prosecutor's office head
Soeprapto said he would investigate the case. (yac)