DENPASAR ~ Bali Police announced on Wednesday they were waiting for permission from President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono to investigate accusations of corruption against Jembrana Regent Gede Winasa, an official said.

Bali Police spokesman I Gde Sugiayar said Winasa was currently a witness in a corruption case concerning alleged embezzlement from the regency budget in 2006.

Suginayar said four other suspects, I Gde Putu Wardana, I Gusti Ketut Muliarta, I Nyoman Gde Saguna and Nyoman Suryadi, who all worked for Jembrana regency government, had been investigated and were awaiting trial.

“We are now waiting for a letter from the president granting officers permission to begin an investigation of the extent of Winasa’s involvement in the case,” Sugianyar said.