Seven councillors named suspects

Evi Mariani, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Jakarta Police named on Tuesday seven Depok councillors as suspects for alleged misuse of Rp 9 billion (some US$1 million) from the 2004 budget.

Head of the police's anticorruption unit Adj. Sr. Comr. Anton Wahono said the number of suspects was likely to increase as the investigation into 38 other councillors was underway.

"The already named suspects include the chairman and the deputy chairmen, the rest are the councillors. The seven are suspected of playing important roles in the alleged corruption," he revealed.

Anton added that the police did not have to summon all the council members. "We have more than enough evidence to name them suspects later."

The police began investigation the allegations earlier this month based on reports filed by a group of non-governmental organizations in Depok.

The activists alleged that the councillors had misused Rp 9 billion of the total of Rp 15 billion from the administration budget for personal expenses.

Each of them allegedly took Rp 50 million to cover their utility bills in their private homes as well as for their mortgage payments.

They also allegedly received another Rp 33 million for maintenance of their private cars, fuel costs and life insurance premiums.

The police had earlier summoned council chairman Sutadi, deputy chairmen Hasbullah Rahmat and Naming D. Bothin, council secretary Endang Rukana as well as Depok treasurer Syafrudin for questioning.