Ex-chairman of Indonesia's investment agency detained for corruption

The former chairman of Indonesia's investment promotion agency has been placed under house arrest following allegations of corruption, an anti-graft official said Friday. Erry Harjapamengkas, deputy head of the Commission for Corruption Eradication, said Theo Toemion was detained Wednesday on suspicion that he misappropriated money earmarked for drawing foreign investors to Indonesia in 2003.

"There is an allegation of corruption regarding the use of funds from the state budget that created losses of about 30 billion rupiah (US$3 million; Ђ2.5 million)," Harjapamengkas said. Toemion was appointed to head the Investment Coordinating Board by former President Megawati Sukarnoputri in 2001.

He was replaced after a much-publicized incident in April, when he was involved in a fist fight at a basketball game at the Jakarta International School in which his 7-year-old son was playing. Toemion reportedly attacked the 14-year-old Australian referee and several foreign businessmen who attempted to calm him.

Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono took office in October 2004 with a promise to crack down on corruption and boost foreign investment. The corruption campaign so far has netted several high-profile suspects, including a former provincial governor, several district heads, and regional and national lawmakers, reports the AP. I.L.