Local officials to be probe for graft

JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono granted on Thursday permission for the police to question a regent and a deputy regent in two separate graft cases, and a legislator in a slander case.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said that written permission was given to the clear way for the police to investigate the officials.

Police are therefore able to continue the graft investigations into South Sulawesi's Bone Bolango Regent Ismet Mille and East Java's Nganjuk deputy regent Djaelani Ishaq.

Andi refused to name the legislator.

To date, the President has granted police and prosecutors permission to question 60 state officials. -- JP