Langsa mayor held over Rp 16.5b graft

Nani Afrida and Suherdjoko, The Jakarta Post, Banda Aceh/Semarang

After questioning 18 witnesses, the Aceh Prosecutor's Office detained on Wednesday Acting Langsa Mayor Azhari Azis, who is charged in connection with a Rp 16.5 billion (US$1.7 million) graft case.

Azhari is being detained at the Keudah Penitentiary.

"We need to hold the suspect to speed up investigations into the case and to prevent the suspect from destroying evidence," office special crimes chief Syarifuddin said.

Azhari could be detained for up to 20 days starting on Wednesday, and if the questioning was not yet completed, the detention period could be extended another 20 days, Syarifuddin said.

He said Azhari was detained after Aceh prosecutors questioned officials in the Langsa City administration and several local bank executives.

Azhari and city treasurer Kelana Putra were charged on June 5 this year for embezzling Rp 16.5 billion from the Langsa City budget.

Syarifuddin said prosecutors would complete their investigation of the case and bring it to court soon.

Azhari is the second mayor in Aceh named a suspect in a corruption case. Earlier, former Banda Aceh mayor Zulkarnain was also named in a Rp 3.5 billion (US$372,340 million) graft case. Zulkarnain is being prosecuted at the Banda Aceh District Court.

Separately in Semarang, prosecutors began questioning on Wednesday three witnesses about Rp 3.27 billion (US$347,872) worth of irregularities in the 2004 Semarang municipal council budget, allegedly involving nine councillors.

Council secretary Suhadi, secretariat finance head Irwan Harahap and Financial Management Office head Agustin Lusin were interviewed by police at the city prosecutor's office.

Office chief Sutiyono said prosecutors would resume questioning the three witnesses on Friday and planned to question more witnesses after that.

The nine councillors have been charged with embezzling Rp 3.27 billion of the 2004 regional budget. Three of the nine were former council leaders.

The case was brought to light after a report filed to the office by the Center for Information Scrutiny and Analytical Study, a non-governmental organization.