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