Maluku official detained for graft

Maluku official detained for graft

AMBON, Maluku: Prosecutors took Southeast Maluku deputy regent
Lukas Umuratuw into custody on Thursday charging him with
involvement in a Rp 7 billion (US$ 7 million) corruption case.

Lukas' detention drew a strong protest, with some 500
supporters gathering later on Thursday in front of the Southeast
Maluku Prosecutor's Office to demand his release.

The protest ended peacefully after hundreds of police officers
arrived at the scene.

Lukas is being charged with illegally inflating the purchase
price of a ship bought by the administration. The ship cost the
regental administration Rp 14 billion (US$1.4 million), about
twice the price of its normal market value of around Rp 7
billion, prosecutors said.

He is being detained in Waiheru Prison. His trial would begin
soon, prosecutors said.-- JP