Bantul regent denies making mystical deal<\/p>\n
YOGYAKARTA (JP): Bantul regent Sri Roso Sudarmo, who has been
\nat the heart of the controversy over the August murder of a
\njournalist, denied yesterday allegations that he had promised Rp
\n1 billion (US$435,000) to President Soeharto's charity
\norganization in exchange for a second term in office.<\/p>\n
\"The allegations are all blackmail, I have never had any
\ncontact with the Dharmais Foundation,\" he said yesterday.<\/p>\n
He admitted to having been approached by a soothsayer who
\npromised to help him win the election for a second consecutive
\nterm, in exchange for contributing money to the foundation.<\/p>\n
\"I did not have that kind of money,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Sri Roso has been in hot water for allegedly using public
\nmoney to fund the reelection transaction with the soothsayer. He
\nis also rumored to have been behind the murder of journalist,
\nFuad Muhammad Syafruddin, who was known for his critical
\nreporting and for revealing the alleged deal.<\/p>\n
One of the government's first comments on the alleged
\nmismanagement came from Inspector General of Home Affairs
\nMinistry Soedardjat Nataatmadja during a hearing with House
\nCommission II, which deals with domestic political affairs,
\nearlier this month.<\/p>\n
Yesterday, however, Soedardjat said the alleged mismanagement
\nwas being handled by Minister of Home Affairs Moch. Yogie S.M.<\/p>\n
\"The minister has issued a strong warning to Sri Roso Sudarmo.
\nHe has also asked the Yogyakarta governor to punish the Bantul
\nregent,\" he said.<\/p>\n
Udin, as the murdered journalist was called, was attacked and
\nbeaten by unidentified thugs at his house in Bantul, just south
\nof Yogyakarta, on Aug. 13. He died in hospital on Aug. 16.<\/p>\n
Investigations into the murder have been marred by
\ncontroversy, with critics claiming the authorities were running a
\ncover up because key government officials may have been involved.<\/p>\n
In a surprise move, police last week released Dwi Sumaji, the
\nman they had detained for almost 60 days on suspicion of
\nmurdering the reporter.<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, in Jakarta, Armed Forces Chief for Social and
\nPolitical Affairs Lt. Gen. Syarwan Hamid said yesterday the
\nmilitary was not involved in the investigation into the alleged
\nmismanagement by Sri Roso, who was still an active member of the
\nmilitary.<\/p>\n
\"The regent is the subordinate of the Minister of Home
\nAffairs. It's the ministry's task to investigate,\" Syarwan said.
\n(23\/imn)<\/p>",
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