Suspects named in Jambi graft case

Suspects named in Jambi graft case

Jon Afrizal, Jambi

Jambi Police announced on Monday they have named three suspects
in a Rp 5.2 billion (US$577,777) graft case in Sarolangung
regency.

The money was allocated in the regental budget to finance the
Ponton port development project.

The three suspects are project chief Bustami, contractor Ayong
alias Suwandi and an unidentified supervisor.

Sarolangun Regent M. Madel would likely be grilled in the
corruption scam if new evidence was found to show his alleged
involvement, Jambi Police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Budi
Harsono said.

"We will continue investigating the case based on statements
from the suspects," he added.

Budi said charges were laid against the suspects after several
witnesses were questioned, who were directly or indirectly
involved in the port project.

The case was uncovered after a 55-meter-long and 12-meter-wide
bridge, which was built in 2003 as part of the project, collapsed
recently.

The Sarolangun administration insisted the bridge had
collapsed due to flooding, which had damaged its foundation.

Many officials of the Jambi administration and local
residents, however, were unconvinced by that argument.

Jambi Governor Zulkifli Nurdin asked the police to investigate
the construction of the bridge and to find out who was
responsible.

The governor said he was ready to issue the necessary permits
for the police to summon local senior officials implicated in the
alleged scam.