Rp 100m check missing in Maluku

AMBON, Maluku: The Maluku provincial administration's social welfare agency is in hot water after a bank check worth Rp 100 million (US$11,765) went missing from its safe.

The money had been provided by the Ministry of Social Affairs and was supposed to be used to finance the construction of water treatment facilities in Salahutu district, Central Maluku regency.

Minister of Social Affairs Bachtiar Chamsyah officially handed over the check to acting Maluku governor Harry Sarundajang in August last year.

But, the check was apparently stolen on Dec. 17 last year.

Agency head A.R. Uluputty confirmed that the check was missing. He said his agency had reported the loss of the check to Bank Mandiri, and had received confirmation from the bank that the check had not been cashed. -- JP