President allows probe into regents

President allows probe into regents

JAKARTA: President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has given his
consent for the police to investigate and detain two regents for
alleged corruption of public funds, making them likely to become
the first serving regents to be detained in the country.

With the consents, which were issued separately on Saturday
and before the Idul Fitri holiday, the police can now investigate
and detain the Jayawijaya regent in Papua and the Marowali regent
in Central Sulawesi for questioning over suspected graft cases,
presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said.

"This is the first time in our history that the president has
approved a request from the police to detain regents who are
still serving and in office," he said.

Andi did not disclose the names of the two regents.

As part of a drive to stamp out corruption, Susilo has given
the police or state prosecutors permission to investigate more
than 100 serving state officials so far in connection with
suspected corruption. -- JP