Kendari – Dozens of activists held a protest on Friday in downtown Kendari, demanding that prosecutors speed up a probe into the alleged embezzlement of Rp 11.6 billion (US$1.2 million) by Muna regent Ridwan Bae.

The regent was accused of embezzling Rp 11.6 billion in a teak tender recently in the regency.

But, later on the same day, hundreds of protesters supporting the regent were seen gathering in a park in front of the Southeast Sulawesi Prosecutor's office, where the first group of protesters were holding the rally.

The two groups were soon locked in a war of words, but security personnel quickly pacified both groups so that physical violence was prevented.