Mentawai officials set for graft trial

PADANG, West Sumatra: The secretary of the Mentawai islands regency administration, identified only by the initials RS, along with three other senior local officials, will soon stand trial for corruption.

The suspects have been accused of embezzling Rp 25 billion (US$2.9 million) from the regency's budget.

Padang District Court head Bustami Nusyirwan said on Saturday he would lead the panel of judges hearing the case against the four suspects.

He did not say when the graft trial would begin.

The court prioritizes the handling of corruption cases in the Mentawai islands in order to appease the public, Bustami said.

"We are committed to making corruption cases a top priority," he said. --Antara