Seven govt officials to face corruption probes

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has endorsed a request from the police and prosecutors to question seven more top regional administration officials in relation to separate corruption cases.

Presidential spokesman Andi Mallarangeng said that the seven officials were the regent of Jayawijaya, in Papua, David Agustin Hubi; regent of Tulang Bawang, Lampung Abdurachman Sarbini, regent of Pasuruan, East Java, Jusbakir Aldjufir and his deputy Muzammil Safi'i; deputy regent of Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Ruben Funay; deputy regent of Klungkung, Bali, Putu Gede Bawa, and deputy mayor of Malang, East Java, Bambang Priyo Utomo.

"The President approved on Tuesday the request for the questioning of seven (local government) officials," Andi was quoted by Antara as saying.

He said that the officials would be questioned either as witnesses or suspects in the corruption cases.

"The move is expected to help accelerate the ongoing investigation into graft cases," he added.

Andi did not provide information about the cases, but he said that the financial losses suffered by the state ranged from Rp 1 billion to Rp 56 billion in each case.

Susilo has launched an aggressive campaign to curb rampant corruption in the country since assuming office last October. So far, the President has given approval to the police and prosecutors for the investigation of 57 state and local government officials. They include eight lawmakers, four governors, 31 regents, seven deputy regents, six mayors and a deputy mayor.

Suspended Aceh Governor Abdullah Puteh has been sentenced to a 10-year prison term for corruption in the purchase of a helicopter for the local provincial administration. He is the first governor to be punished for graft under the Susilo administration.