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