Probe underway into education fund graft

JAKARTA: The interdepartmental anticorruption team continued on Tuesday the probe into the alleged Rp 6 billion (US$615,000) graft case at the directorate general of higher education at the Ministry of National Education by cross-examining three officials who have been named suspects.

Dedy Abdul Halim, head of the 2004 academic lecturer empowerment project at the ministry, along with staffers -- Elan Suherlan and Helmi Untung, have been detained since July 25 at the National Police headquarters.

National Police spokesman Brig. Gen. Soenarko said investigators from the police's antigraft division, who are members of the team, had also confiscated as evidence 16 documents including receipts issued by the state treasury office.

"We have also questioned 10 witnesses. Five of them are officials from the directorate general, three employees of state- owned Bank Negara Indonesia (BNI) and two others from the state treasury office," Soenarko said.

He said the team may name more suspects in the future since the case was still under intensive investigation. -- JP