Official accused of corruption

BOGOR (JP): The Cibinong Prosecutors' Office is investigating a corruption case involving Dedi Setiadi, a former head of the section of general government system of the Bogor Regency who is now Assistant of Administrative Affairs in Depok.

Head of the prosecutors' office Andi Soewardi Ali told reporters on Friday that in 1997, Dedi sold a plot of land that was appropriated as a graveyard to 10 private developers for Rp 1.615 billion.

Dedi put the money in his private bank account, and then used the it to buy a 7.8 hectare plot of land, where a sports hall would be built, according to Andi.

Andi said that the Development Finance Controller is still calculating the losses suffered by the government due to the offense allegedly conducted by the suspect.

Dedi, who was named a suspect in the case on March 1, is under city arrest.

"He has not been detained because he was very cooperative during the investigation process. He himself closed his private bank account and handed over all of the necessary files to investigators," Andi said.

Dedi would be charged under an article in the anticorruption law, which carries a maximum 20-year jail term.

He said that several other officials, including former Bogor regent, Edi Yoso Martadipura might be involved in the scandal.

Prosecutors have questioned 40 witnesses, including seven of the 10 developers, who bought the land to be developed into a housing estate. (21)