Medan mayor named suspect in graft scandal

MEDAN, North Sumatra: The provincial prosecutor’s office named Medan Mayor Rahudman Harahap a suspect in a graft case on Tuesday, five months into his tenure.

Rahudman was named a suspect for his involvement in the embezzlement of Rp 1.5 billion from a wages fund for village officials, during his tenure as South Tapanuli regency secretary in 2005.

North Sumatra High Prosecutor’s Office spokesman Edi Irsan Kurniawan Tarigan said Rahudman had been named suspect based on evidence gathered during an investigation into Amrin Tambunan, who is also a suspect in the case.

Amrin, who was treasurer for the regency’s secretariat, was arrested by the police in April this year. He is alleged to have stolen Rp 1.5 billion from a wages fund for district chiefs.

“The evidence of Rahudman’s involvement in the case when he was serving as South Tapanuli’s secretary is strong and authentic,” Edi told The Jakarta Post.

Rahudman was not available for comment as he is undergoing training at the Home Ministry in Jakarta until Nov. 4. — JP