Kampar councillors return money

PEKANBARU, Riau: As of Thursday, some 20 of 43 councillors at Kampar regental council had returned gratuity payments to the state, following an investigation by Riau prosecutors.

Bambang Suhartono confirmed that the councillors had returned the money -- some Rp 25 million per councillor -- voluntarily after the case was brought to light a few weeks ago by several non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The investigation began with the questioning of three councillors on Wednesday.

The NGOs accused the councillors of unlawfully receiving the money because gratuity payments are not mentioned in any government regulation. -- JP