Kupang regent named suspect

KUPANG, East Nusa Tenggara: Only two weeks after naming Kupang Deputy Regent Ruben Funay a graft suspect, the East Nusa Tenggara Prosecutor's Office has charged Kupang Regent Ibrahim Agustinus Medah for graft.

Ibrahim will be prosecuted for approving the disbursement of Rp 1 billion (US$100,000) in operational funds to Kupang councillors.

The prosecutors claim that the disbursement was in violation of the law as it is not covered by any regulation.

Seven other former councillors have also been named suspects in the same case. The councillors were on the Kupang council between 1999 and 2004. The Rp 1 billion was distributed to 40 councillors at the Kupang municipal council. -- JP