Senior councillor return graft money

JAMBI: Rustam Effendi, a former councillor in East Tanjungjabung regency, has recently returned Rp 130 million (US$13,829) in state funds that he allegedly embezzled, but the Jambi Prosecutor's Office remains adamant that he will still be tried for corruption.

"Despite the fact that he has returned some of the money, the alleged crime already took place," said Warsa Susanta, a deputy chief of Jambi Prosecutor's Office, on Saturday.

Rustam, the former deputy speaker of the East Tanjungjabung legislative council during the 1999-2004 term, was named a suspect after he was accused of embezzling some Rp 200 million. -- JP