Riau Police investigate bribery case

Haidir Anwar Tanjung, The Jakarta Post, Pekanbaru

Riau Provincial Police have assigned a special team to investigate 32 local councillors for allegedly taking Rp 50 million (US$5,000) each in bribes to support the proposed formation of Riau Islands province.

Chairman of the provincial legislature Chaidir confirmed that he had in his possession evidence to show that the bribes were handed over by an employee of the National Intelligence Agency (BIN), after his meeting several councillors in the city recently.

"I am ready to testify before the police about the case and show them (the police) all the evidence I possess. One thing for sure is our decision to delay giving political support to the proposal. Should certain councillors oppose our decision, it would just be out of personal interest," Chaidir told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

The government has decided to postpone discussing the proposed formation of Riau Islands province because of the Riau administration's opposition to the proposal.

Both Riau authorities and Natuna administration have opposed the proposal because not all regencies in the Riau archipelago are yet prepared for the new province.

Chaidir declined to identify the legislators concerned.

Meanwhile, spokesman for the provincial police Adj. Sr. Comr. S. Pandiangan said that the police were still seeking permission from the home ministry to investigate legislators who had allegedly taken bribes.

He added it was also investigating whether bribery had occurred or not.

Chief of the government prosecutor's office Moch. Huzaini said that he had entrusted the local police to investigate the case because those who had allegedly been bribed claimed that they had received the funds in their personal capacity.

Huzaini added that the councillors had allegedly violated Law No. 11/1980 on bribery, which carries a maximum penalty of three years' imprisonment.