Regent fails to appear for questioning

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Riau Islands Regent Huzrin Hood, a suspect in the misappropriation of Rp 87.2 billion, failed to turn up for questioning at the Riau Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.

His lawyers said their client was "very busy".

Lawyer Syamsul Rakan Chaniago said that his client wished to heed the summons, but business had caused him to miss it. Huzrin then asked Syamsul and fellow lawyer AB Purba to appear at the prosecutor's office.

"The summons came late on Wednesday when Huzrin had just arrived from Jakarta. He did not have enough time to go to Pekanbaru (the capital of Riau)," Syamsul was quoted by Antara as saying.

Syamsul and Purba also checked the validity of President Megawati Soekarnoputri's approval for prosecutors to question Huzrin.

Riau Prosecutor's Office spokesman D. Siallagan said his office accepted Huzrin's absence and would issue a second summons.

Siallagan said that Huzrin would be questioned by next Tuesday at the latest.

According to Siallagan, the office has set up a team to investigate the misuse of Rp 87.2 billion allotted for regency development. The team comprises prosecutors Farid Hariyanto, Sugianto, Adityawarman and Irnensip.

Tabrani Rab, a member of the regional Autonomy Advisory Council (DPOD) from the province, submitted to the President a written proposal that Huzrin be temporarily suspended while the scandal is being investigated.

He described it as the biggest scandal in the regional autonomy era, saying that an audit by the State Audit Agency had led to the conclusion that the money was spent to seek political support from both the province and Jakarta for the establishment of Riau Islands province.

The House of Representatives (DPR) and home minister Hari Sabarno voiced agreement to the establishment of the new province last month.

However, its realization is likely to meet with opposition from the Riau administration and provincial legislative council (DPRD) as well as from people on some of the islands.