Officials accused of graft released from detention

Officials accused of graft released from detention

Theresia Sufa
The Jakarta Post/Bogor

Bogor police released on Sunday seven sub-district heads who had
been accused of embezzling 87 tons of subsidized rice for poor
families in Sukamakmur district, West Java.

The suspects -- Pudin Komara, Ade Lukman Hartono, Dadang
Supriat, Ooy Tamami, Nana Suryana, Muin Sunarya, and Kohandi --
were released following a letter from Bogor's vice regent, asking
the police to suspend their detention, Comr. Ferdy Sambo said on
Monday.

"They were arrested on Aug. 9 and released on Sunday following
a letter from Bogor vice regent Albert Pribadi," said Ferdy.

Aside from the vice regent's letter, the wives of the suspects
have also sent letters guaranteeing that their husbands would not
flee nor destroy evidence. They also declared themselves ready to
be summoned by the police.

Separately, Bogor regional assistant Dandan Mulyadi said that
the suspension was also due to the celebration of Independence
Day this week.

"On that day, each sub-district will need the presence of
their leaders," he asserted.

The Bogor legislative council's commission A for people's
welfare visited the police station to learn of follow-up
information about the embezzlement.

"This case involved local authorities and deserves proper
attention on the legal as well as procedural aspects," said
commission A head Lalu Suryade, adding that the current
distribution mechanism for the subsidized rice had opened the way
for irregularities.

"The disbursement of the rice should have been safeguarded by
officers from the logistics agency," he said, adding that the
commission had warned local logistics agency officers to ensure
that the rice was received by the truly needy.

Commission A members will also recommend the dismissal of the
sub-district heads.