Legislator refuses to be interrogated

Kasparman, The Jakarta Post, Padang

West Sumatra legislature chairman Arwan Kasri has refused to be interrogated by the prosecutor's office who are investigating alleged corruption in the provincial legislative council.

Halius Hosen, chief of the prosecutor's office in Padang, West Sumatra, regretted Arwan's refusal to cooperate, saying his decision would prolong the investigation.

"Arwan Kasri should set a good example to other councillors to encourage legal certainty and law enforcement in the legislative body," he told reporters here recently.

The prosecutor's office has already questioned the secretary of the legislature's treasurer and determined the council's 2002 budget contains discrepancies.

The investigation was launched after a number of corruption complaints from members of the public.

M. Zen Gomo, a councillor from the local chapter of the National Mandate Party, has refused to appear for work following the presentation of the controversial budget.

He said he would only return once the legislative council revised the budget.

The budget has sparked criticism from numerous university student bodies, but their demands have been ignored.

The budget allocates Rp 1.7 billion for insurance for the 55 council members and Rp 1.32 billion for councillor's welfare.

"How come the provincial budget is so easily corrupted by council members," student field coordinator Rustam Effendi said.

"This is clearly corruption," said Elwi Dhanil, a legal expert from Andalas University.

Halius said his office would force Arwan Kasri to cooperate with investigators.

Arwan would not comment on the reasons for his lack of cooperation.

"It is true that I have rejected being questioned but I don't want to comment on my reasons."