Official tried for renting land

TANGERANG: Tangerang District Court began on Wednesday the trial of the Tangerang municipal legislative council speaker, who was charged with illegal rental of land belonging to a foundation.

Prosecutor Rustam Nawawi told the hearing that defendant Gian Sugiharsono, 51, who is a businessman and spokesman of the municipal council, had illegally rented portions of a 7,000- square-meter site belonging to Yayasan Pendidikan Umum Nurul Kuncung to five tenants who later set up food stalls, kiosks and a car repair workshop on the land.

Nawawi said the defendant had received a total of Rp 21 million from the tenants since 1992.

Accompanied by a team of five defense lawyers, Gian, wearing a green suit, appeared calm and relaxed.--JP