District chief detained for graft

Sat, 04/05/2008 12:39 PM  |  City

TANGERANG: The Tangerang Prosecutor's Office has detained Sukadiri district chief Lizia Sobandi, who earlier was named a suspect in a Rp 700 million graft case along with two district office staff members.

The three district officials are alleged to have sold subsidized rice earmarked for the poor on the open market.

Two other suspects have been named in the case for knowingly purchasing subsidized rice.

Tangerang chief prosecutor Agus Sutoto said Thursday the five suspects had been sent to the Tangerang youth penitentiary while awaiting trial at the district court.

Sutoto said the suspects were being charged with violating articles 1 and 2 of the 1999 law on corruption, which carry a maximum punishment of 20 years in prison.

"We have detained the suspects for fear they could influence others and destroy evidence," he said.

Accompanied by his lawyer, Deden Syukron, Lizia arrived at the prosecutor's office on Thursday in response to a summons.

The case began when irregularities were found in the distribution of 192 tons of rice earmarked for low-income residents in the district between August and December.

An initial investigation by the prosecutor's office found evidence of the district chief's involvement in falsifying documents concerning the rice distribution.

The district received 32 tons of rice each month, which the government bought at Rp 4,500 per kilogram to be sold to low-income residents for Rp 1,000 a kilogram.

The suspects allegedly sold the rice for Rp 3,000 per kilogram, earning Rp 700 million (US$73,000) from the sale.

Local non-profit organization Forum Lintas Pelaku first alerted the press to the alleged crime.

Media reports prompted an investigation by the prosecutor's office. --JP

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