Bantul Council finally agrees to axe Sri Roso<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Bantul Council (DPRD) unanimously agreed to
\nsack Regent Sri Roso Sudarmo yesterday after he admitted offering
\nbribes to smooth his election to another term in office.<\/p>\n
The unanimous decision was taken during the second special
\nplenary session of the council which was attended by all members
\nexcept one, Sri Roso's brother, who asked permission to be
\nexcused.<\/p>\n
"The Bantul council will form a team to meet with the Minister
\nof Home Affairs to ask him to grant the wish of local residents
\nand remove Sri Roso," council speaker Mansur S. said yesterday.<\/p>\n
The council's decision was initially expected on Friday, but
\nwas delayed when Golkar council members walked out of the session
\nafter hearing Sri Roso's explanation of his behavior.<\/p>\n
The council asked the regent if it was true that he signed a
\nletter promising the Dharmais foundation, chaired by former
\npresident Soeharto, Rp 1 billion if he could serve another term
\nin office.<\/p>\n
Mansur said Sri Roso admitted signing the letter during the
\nhearing.<\/p>\n
"He himself admitted writing and signing the letter which
\nstates he would make the contribution after being reelected. That
\nis a clear violation of his oath as a public servant," Mansur
\nargued pointing to Article 14 paragraph 4 of Law No. 5\/1974 which
\nforbids offering or accepting gifts and other items to secure
\nposition or personal advancement.<\/p>\n
Mansur added that given the evidence against him, it would not
\nhave been possible for the council to continue to support the
\ncorrupt regent.<\/p>\n
The council also urged the attorney general and police to
\nreopen their investigation into the murder of Yogyakarta based
\nBernas journalist Fuad Muhammad Syafruddin yesterday.<\/p>\n
While there is not yet any evidence to implicate the regent in
\nthe 1996 murder, Fuad was known to be investigating official
\ncorruption in Bantul.<\/p>\n
"No leads should be left uninvestigated and all those who may
\nbe able to help police with their enquiries, including Sri Roso
\nSudarmo, should be questioned. The true culprit and motive must
\nbe discovered," Mansur asserted.<\/p>\n
Police initially forwarded a rather dubious dossier and case
\nagainst Dwi Sumaji, whom they claimed was the murderer. The
\npublic prosecutor's office eventually accepted the police case,
\nbut only after rejecting it several times.<\/p>\n
The case was later thrown out of court after it transpired
\nthat the police had insufficient evidence to bring Dwi to
\ntrial.<\/p>\n
Yesterday's decision by the council was greeted with relief by
\nBantul residents.<\/p>\n
A group of university students who had gathered with a large
\ncrowd at the council building, immediately rushed to the podium
\nwhen the council meeting ended and began to sing the national
\nanthem.<\/p>\n
"This is proof of the councillors dedication and sensitivity
\nto the aspirations of the people," Herry Sebayang, who headed the
\nstudent group, said. (44)<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/bantul-council-finally-agrees-to-axe-sri-roso-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}