W. Sumatra may suspend governor

PADANG, West Sumatra: The provincial prosecutors office has filed a request, through the Attorney General, to the Minister of Home Affairs to suspend West Sumatra Governor Muchlis Ibrahim and Padang Mayor Zuiyen Rais, for their alleged involvement in a bribery scandal.

The request was forwarded to the Attorney General's office yesterday in a letter No. R183/0.3.1/Dp.1/05/1998, signed by West Sumatra Deputy Attorney General Bagio Supardi, Antara reported.

According to the news agency, prosecutors office is currently investigating the two men for alleged bribery during the election process for the governor's and mayor's posts.

Some 200 students have also introduced a petition to the prosecutors office to thoroughly investigate the case. (mds)