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orruption Eradication Commission (KPK) prosecutors indicted on Thursday former Bangkalan regent Fuad Amin, accusing him of accepting Rp 18 billion (US$1.3 million) in bribes and laundering another Rp 229 billion in dirty money between 2003 and 2014.

Fuad allegedly received Rp 18 billion in dirty money from PT Media Karya Sentosa in connection with a multimillion dollar gas contract he approved in 2007, while the Rp 229 billion in dirty money he laundered came from a number of illegal sources when he was serving as Bangkalan regent between 2003 and 2014.

'€œThe defendant can'€™t explain the sources of the [dirty] money. In terms of the wealth report, the defendant submitted [a report] in 2007, however showed that he had only Rp 1.73 billion. His salary as a regent is about
Rp 11 million and his other earnings from being a lecturer totaled Rp 60 million per month,'€ KPK prosecutor Pulung Riando read from the indictment at the Jakarta Corruption Court on Thursday.

The KPK charged Fuad with Article 11 of Law No. 31/1999 which carries a maximum sentence of five years behind bars for state officials who accept bribes or gratuities.

Cleric-turned-politician Fuad, an active member of the Gerindra Party, has long been known for his efforts to establish his own political dynasty in the regency.

He wrapped up his decade-long rule of the Bangkalan administration in 2013. In a move to retain control of the regency, he installed his son as leader of the administration, while he himself took control of the leadership of the local legislative assembly in 2013.