N. Sumatra councillors investigated

N. Sumatra councillors investigated

MEDAN, North Sumatra: Nine members of regency and municipal
legislatures in North Sumatra are to be investigated by the
police for alleged involvement in criminal cases from January to
April 2002.

The nine councillors, whose investigation was recommended by
North Sumatra Governor T. Rizal Nurdin pursuant to the law in
force, comprise four suspects and five witnesses in cases ranging
from slander, extortion to embezzlement.

According to the governor's office, recommendations were
issued in 2001 for investigating 74 councillors in 12
regencies/cities in the province, mostly involving cases of money
in politics.

Chairuman Harahap, head of the provincial prosecutor's office,
when contacted by The Jakarta Post, said his office had
recommended to the Attorney General's Office that investigation
into some of the 74 councillors be dropped, while the rest should
be handled by the local court. -- JP