Kampar councillors face questioning

PEKANBARU, Riau: Riau Prosecutor's Office began questioning Kampar regental councillors on Thursday for allegedly misappropriating Rp 1.125 billion (US$ 118,421) in state money.

Among the 45 councillors questioned in Pekanbaru, the capital of Riau province, were Syaifuddin Effendi, Kampar council speaker, Jurmalis Saruji, deputy speaker and Masnur, the chairman of Golkar Party faction at the council.

All the 45 Kampar councillors were named suspects for their roles in the embezzlement of the 2002, 2003 and 2004 Kampar regental budget. More councillors will be quizzed in the near future, said prosecutor Dimpuan Siallagan. -- JP