Sutiyoso ready for questioning

JAKARTA: Governor Sutiyoso claimed that he was ready to be questioned by the police as a witness in the alleged manipulation of a Rp 4.2 billion fund for flood victims by the Institute of Civic Education (ICE) on Indonesia.

"Yes please. I'm ready, as a witness," he told reporters on Thursday, following the grant of permission by President Megawati Soekarnoputri for the Jakarta Police to investigate him.

The case started when Government Watch (Gowa), another non- governmental organization, accused ICE and its founder, Irma Hutabarat, of misusing the funds collected at a charity night on March 1 aimed at helping flood victims.

The city administration appointed ICE to manage the funds.

The police named ICE's treasurer, Hendrawan, as a suspect.

Irma and ICE have filed suit against Gowa for libel at the South Jakarta District Court. -- JP