KPU to probe forgery allegations

JAMBI, Jambi: Following recent reports from members of the public, the local elections commission is set to start checking the authenticity of school and college diplomas belonging to Jambi provincial, regental and municipal councillors.

Valina Singka Subekti, a member of the national elections commission (KPU), said that it had ordered its provincial, regental and municipal branches to check with the councillors' alma maters as to whether their school or academic qualifications were genuine.

If the councillors were found to have availed of fraudulent qualifications during the 2004 election, they would be brought to justice, said Valina.

The planned investigation was announced after reports from the public that a number of councillors, including a Jambi provincial councillor, YS, and a Tebo regental councillor, NN, had presented forged diplomas in order to be able to run in the 2004 election. -- JP