Officials quizzed over subsidy misuse

Officials quizzed over subsidy misuse

TANGERANG: Prosecutors questioned on Friday two Tangerang
regental administration officials as witnesses in the alleged
misuse of a Rp 3.3 billion state subsidy for religious education
facilities.

Several former council members have been named suspects.

According to prosecutor Anwaruddin Sulistyo, Tangerang Audit
Body head Muktar Lutfi and council secretary Subarnas, the
subsidy had been divided equally among eleven factions upon the
request of the council members in 2003.

While state education subsidies are usually channeled directly
to schools through the social agency, the former councillors had
argued that the money would be better directed through the
factions.

"We will further investigate the case by summoning members of
each faction, including former speaker Dadang Kartasasmita, who
is now a member of Banten council," he said.

Prosecutors have named Harun Alrasyid of the Justice and Unity
Party (PKP) a suspect in the case. -- JP