Prosecutors to speed up graft probe

MANADO, North Sulawesi: The chief of the North Sulawesi Prosecutor's Office, Nelson Worotikan, has ordered his office to speed up investigations into seven high-profile corruption cases in the province.

The cases include alleged graft in the purchase of the Manado Beach Hotel that cost the state some Rp 11.3 billion (US$1.25 million) in losses.

A suspect in that case, JJS, a deputy secretary in the provincial administration, is currently being questioned by the North Sulawesi Prosecutor's Office, said Herlie Robert Ilat, the spokesman for the office. -- JP