Bambang DH appointed new Surabaya mayor<\/p>\n
Ainur Sophiaan, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
East Java Governor Imam Utomo appointed Surabaya Deputy Mayor
\nBambang DH as the city's new mayor at the Surabaya mayoralty on
\nMonday, ending the controversy surrounding January's dismissal of
\nSunarto Sumoprawiro as mayor by the Surabaya legislative council.<\/p>\n
The official appointment of Bambang, who is an executive of
\nthe Surabaya office of the Indonesian Democratic Party of
\nStruggle (PDI Perjuangan), was witnessed by PDI Perjuangan
\nexecutives, including Manggara Siahaan and Theo Syafe'i.
\nBambang's term as mayor will last until 2005.<\/p>\n
Governor Imam Utomo said on Monday that he hoped Bambang would
\nbe able to govern firmly and adopt a serious approach in fighting
\nrampant corruption in Surabaya.<\/p>\n
\"Corruption in the city water agency (PDAM) and in Surabaya's
\ngarbage management are among the many cases. It is my hope that
\nPak Bambang will be able to make firm decisions in this matter,\"
\nImam told reporters.<\/p>\n
He added that a reshuffle within the Surabaya mayoralty and
\nthe Surabaya administration was due to take place, including the
\nreplacement of the secretary to the mayor's office and about 169
\nofficers in the subdistrict level of Surabaya.<\/p>\n
The legislature had proposed that Sunarto be fired for his
\nthree-month absence starting last October.<\/p>\n
Many local residents aired grievances over Sunarto's
\nleadership as he had abandoned his duties when hundreds of tons
\nof garbage were left at temporary dump sites across the city
\nduring October and November last year.<\/p>\n
The mayor was in Melbourne for medical treatment when the
\ngarbage problem occurred. He claimed to have asked for permission
\nto undergo treatment overseas.<\/p>\n
The Surabaya legislative council voted on Jan. 15 to dismiss
\nSunarto for, among other reasons, being absent for three months
\nfrom his duties due to medical reasons.<\/p>\n
The same day, the council chose to appoint his deputy Bambang
\nDH as the new mayor. Some 31 out of 45 legislators who attended
\nthe legislature's plenary session voted for Sunarto's dismissal,
\nwhile 12 opposed and two abstained.<\/p>\n
Controversy surrounding January's dismissal of Sunarto
\nSumoprawiro by the local legislative council did not die, even
\nafter a special team investigating the case defended the decision
\nas legitimate in March.<\/p>\n
The team said the move to dismiss the mayor for being absent
\nfrom three months for medical reasons was justifiable \"legally,
\npolitically and medically\".<\/p>\n
\"Based on the results of field investigation and examination,
\nwe conclude that the council's decision made through Decree No.
\n1\/2002 is legally sound,\" team member Suwoto Mulyosudarmo had
\nsaid.<\/p>\n
\"The council used Law No. 22\/1999 on regional governance, and
\nBylaw No. 108\/2000 on the accountability of a regional head (in
\nmaking the decision),\" added the noted constitutional law expert.<\/p>\n
The six-member team led by Soetandyo Wignyosubroto was
\nestablished by Governor Imam Utomo at the instruction of Minister
\nof Home Affairs Hari Sabarno to clarify the controversial
\ndismissal.<\/p>\n
Hari rejected the dismissal, claiming legislative councils
\ncould not dismiss governors, mayors or regents, although they are
\npermitted to do so under the Regional Autonomy Law. The minister
\ncontinued to recognize Sunarto as the Surabaya mayor and
\ninstructed the governor to form an investigative team.<\/p>\n
Members of the team, set up later in January, also included
\npolitical scientist Aribowo and health expert Abdul Syukur.<\/p>\n
Most factions in the council were of the same opinion that
\nSunarto was no longer fit to do his job because of ill health, as
\nstipulated in Law No. 22\/1999 on regional autonomy.<\/p>",
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