W. Java officials grilled over graft

BANDUNG: Prosecutors in West Java have begun questioning six councillors over their alleged involvement in graft amounting to Rp 33.4 billion (US$3.9 million).

The six members of the West Java legislative council are Irfan Anshori of the National Mandate Party (PAN), Tatang Asramulhakim of the United Development Party (PPP), Asep S. Hermawan of the Golkar Party, Sutisna Karnadiupra of the police-military faction, A.E. Bunyamin of the National Awakening Party and Rudy Harsa Tanaya from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan).

They were quizzed separately by 12 prosecutors on Thursday about the case, said Rocky Kolloway, spokesman for the West Java Prosecutor's Office.

Rp 33.4 billion was disbursed from the province's budget and was allegedly distributed to councillors to buy plots of land.

"The six councillors have admitted they received Rp 250 million each, but denied knowing that the money was obtained via unlawful procedures," Kolloway said.

He said the two council speakers, Suyaman and Kurdi Moekri, both of whom have been named as suspects in the case, had not yet been summoned. --JP