Jakarta – An Indonesian court yesterday sentenced a half-brother of former president Suharto to four years' jail for corruption involving US$11.4 million in state funds.

Probosutejo, who was head of a timber company, failed to repay interest-free loans from a state reforestation fund totalling 100.9 billion rupiah, Judge Mohammad Soleh ruled.

Probosutejo, 72, who seemed dazed by the verdict, was allowed to remain free pending his appeal because the judge said he had been cooperative. He was also fined 30 million rupiah (S$6,600) and ordered to repay the loans.

Suharto's family and associates amassed billions of dollars through lucrative monopolies or outright corruption during his 32-year rule which ended in 1998.

Some close cronies or family members have since been brought to justice. Suharto's younger son Tommy was convicted of murder last year and sentenced to 15 years' jail.