'We have named them suspects and right now they are being questioned. The investigation is still ongoing and there is the possibility of more suspects coming up,' Purwokerto Prosecutor's Office intelligence section head Abdul Rasyid said on Tuesday.

Previously, prosecutors named Banyumas Public Order Agency head Rusmiyati and Indomaret employee Asep Gunawan as suspects in the case. According to preliminary questioning, Asep was the staff member who was ordered to hand over the Rp 180 million, which was aimed at paving the way for the issuance of building permits.

Abdul added that prosecutors would develop their investigations into legislators because according to Rusmiyati, some lawmakers had also accepted bribes.

'We won't announce the names yet because it might jeopardize the whole investigation,' he said.

The case was initially revealed when Banyumas Regent Ahmad Husen vowed to close convenience stores that did not have the necessary permits. Of the targeted stores, 16 belonged to Indomaret.

Being cornered, Indomaret management finally announced that it had bribed officials in order to get the permits. (dic)(++++)

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