KPK announces East Java bank director as suspect

JAKARTA: The Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) has named former East Java Development Bank (BPD) director Umar Syarifuddin a suspect in the alleged embezzlement of Rp 37 billion (US$3.5 million) from the bank's coffers between 2003 and 2004.

"We have determined a suspect in the alleged embezzlement at BPD. The former director at the bank was declared a suspect few days ago," KPK deputy chairman for enforcement Bibit Samad Riantor told reporters during a hearing with commission III on legal issues at the House of Representatives on Thursday.

He said the suspect had illegally siphoned Rp 37 billion from 33 BPD branches across the province between 2003 and 2004 and kept the money in his personal account.

"He created *dubious capital and tax fees' in order to keep the money for his personal benefit," he said.

This was the second case where suspects were announced by the commission without its chairman, Antasari Azhar, who is being detained by the Jakarta Police as a suspect in a murder case. -JP