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orruption Eradication Commission (KPK) investigators on Wednesday examined a number of officials from the Riau provincial administration in Pekanbaru, Riau, to probe alleged bribery in a forest conversion case implicating Riau Governor Annas Maamun.

KPK investigators took statements from five employees from the protocol division: head Fuadilazi, subdivision head Firman Hadi and three protocol staffers, Fiko Tompati, Said Putra and Taufik.

Dozens of journalists waited from morning for the closed-door inquiry, which took place at the National Police School (SPN) in Pekanbaru.

At noon, Firman and Fiko exited the investigation room ahead of their colleagues. '€œI'€™m done,'€ said Firman.

He said he had only been asked about Annas'€™ agenda during his visit to Jakarta a few days prior to his arrest by the KPK in the Cibubur area, East Jakarta, recently.

'€œAs far as I know, he was just attending a post-Idul Fitri gathering with Riau natives there,'€ said Firman.

Fiko declined to give details to the media. '€œI was summoned as a witness and was asked several questions,'€ he said.

'€œThey were definitely interested in the governor'€™s case and nothing else,'€ said Fiko.

Meanwhile, Fuadilazi, who exited later, said he was asked about the cash in rupiah currency that Gulat Manurung handed to Annas.

'€œI was asked about the Rp 500 million (US$43,400) cash,'€ he said.

The source of the cash has yet to be disclosed. It is unclear whether it belonged to Gulat or was from other people.

When asked whether or not the protocol division staffers had handed over the cash from Gulat to Annas, who was then in Jakarta, Fuadilazi denied it. '€œThat'€™s enough,'€ he said and hurriedly got into his car.

The KPK investigators also summoned Riau Province Library and Archive Agency head Chairul Riski, who arrived to face the investigators at around 11:30 a.m. local time.

'€œI was called and asked to come here,'€ he said briefly as he walked into the investigation room.

It remains unclear why Chairul was summoned by the KPK as he has never held any position connected to the forestry sector. During an interval, Chairul denied he was examined in connection with Annas'€™ case.

'€œNo, this is just administrative problems,'€ he said as he avoided journalists.

As the five protocol staffers left the Pekanbaru SPN, Chairul was still undergoing examination.

Based on information received, the KPK investigators also summoned Riau Plantation Office head Zulher and former Riau Forestry Office head Zulkifli Yusuf for questioning. However, as of Wednesday noon, neither had arrived at Pekanbaru SPN.

Annas had been named a suspect by the KPK for allegedly accepting a bribe and for violating the law on corruption eradication.

Gulat, who has also been detained for handing over the alleged bribe, has also been charged with violating the law.

The KPK seized S$156,000 and Rp 500 million in a bust last month. The money is believed to be from Gulat to facilitate the land status conversion for a forested area in Kuantan Sengingi regency, where Gulat owns a 140-hectare oil palm plantation, which is still classified as industrial forest.

Annas, who replaced Rusli Zaenal in February this year, is not the only governor arrested by the KPK. The antigraft body apprehended Rusli last year and he was sentenced to 14 years in prison. Another Riau governor, Saleh Djasit, was also sentenced to four years for corruption in 2008.