"Oh, yes, we have sent a letter to the Home Affairs Minister and the North Sulawesi Governor to suspend the Tomohon mayor immediately because he is a defendant in a corruption case," KPK spokesman Johan Budi said here Monday.
Jefferson, a Golkar politician, had recently won Tomhon`s mayoral election and was installed as the North Sulawesi city mayor last Friday (Jan 7) at a ceremony at the Cipinang State Penitentiary with the KPK`s prior permission.
The KPK had named him a suspect in a corruption case that allegedly cost the state Rp 19.8 billion in the period 2006-2008.
Johan said the request for Jefferson`s suspension was mandated by Law No30/2002 on the KPK.
Because Jefforson was installed by the North Sulawesi governor in the presence of the home affairs minister, the request for his suspension was addressed to the two state officials, he said.
Jefferson was installed as Tomohon mayor at the Cipinang state penitentiary instead of in Tomohon because he was already being held at the prison. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
