Regent detained in graft case

JAMBI, Jambi: Local police detained Sarolangun Regent M. Madel on Wednesday night, one week after he was named a suspect in an Rp 5.7 billion (US$633,333) graft case.

Jambi Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Budi Harsono said the regent was arrested because he was a flight risk, adding that officers had begun questioning Madel on Thursday.

Madel, who is accused of embezzling state money through a bridge construction project in the regency, answered 26 questions from investigators in a five-hour session. -- JP