Nurdin faces new charges

UJUNGPANDANG, South Sulawesi: Victory celebrations over a dropped corruption case on Monday proved short lived for Golkar legislator and businessman Nurdin Halid, as he faces new criminal charges.

Local police chief Col. Jusuf Manggaberani said on Wednesday Nurdin had been accused of stealing a banner belonging to Indonesian Muslim University (UMI) students. "We are set to investigate the case, pending the President's permission," Jusuf said.

The district court here acquitted Nurdin, at the request of prosecutors, who claimed there was not enough evidence to prove he embezzled Rp 115.77 billion (US$12 million) of farmers' compulsory savings from a local cooperative.

The students filed a lawsuit against Nurdin, who they accused of ordering his men to take the 30-meter-long banner away from UMI campus. The banner, inscribed with criticism aimed at the businessman, was given to police as evidence for defamation charges leveled by Nurdin on the students.

Meanwhile, students continued to demonstrate on Wednesday to protest Nurdin's release. Police and military troops were posted at buildings and businesses belonging to Nurdin because of fears that the students would damage the properties.

An official of a taxi company controlled by Nurdin said the wave of rallies against the businessman's release had cost the firm Rp 400 million because most of its 560 taxis were not operating. (27)