Official named suspect in graft case

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Former Lampung provincial comptroller Ahmad Ali has been named a suspect in a graft case involving Tanggamus regental 2002 budget of Rp 600 million (US$73,170).

Lampung Prosecutor's Office spokesman Zaidar Rasepta Barlen said on Thursday that the alleged corruption was within the budget's professional and social organizations fund allocation.

"The money was supposed to be disbursed to help the organizations. But Rp 600 million was handed over to Tanggamus Legislative Council Speaker Muaz Munziri. Another Rp 650 million was handed over to councillor Rozali Nasution, but was later returned," he said.

Muaz, a councillor from Golkar Party, has been questioned as witness in the case.

Two months ago he was named suspect in a case involving the embezzlement of Rp 1.4 billion of the Makmur Desa Kagungan cooperatives fund. -- JP