Council threatens to expel Al Rasyid<\/p>\n
Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak and Muhammad Nafik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta<\/p>\n
The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) Provincial Legislative Council
\nthreatened on Wednesday to replace Governor Harun Al Rasyid if he
\nconfirms his candidacy for the Jakarta governorship.<\/p>\n
\"This is an insult, because he intends to leave before
\ncompleting his tenure,\" the chairman of the council's Commission
\nA for legal and administrative affairs, H.M. Jamani, told Antara
\non Wednesday after attending the council's plenary meeting.<\/p>\n
\"We have many officials who are willing and able to govern the
\nprovince, so why do we have to keep relying on someone who
\ndoesn't heed his hometown anymore,\" he added.<\/p>\n
Jamani was commenting on reports that Al Rasyid would run in
\nthe Jakarta gubernatorial election for the 2002 to 2007 term.<\/p>\n
Al Rasyid has another two years left in his present five-year
\nterm of office.<\/p>\n
Al Rasyid, who has remained tightlipped on the reports of his
\npossible candidacy for Jakarta governor, gave a rare response on
\nWednesday.<\/p>\n
\"If I were entrusted (as Jakarta governor), I would be ready,\"
\nhe said.<\/p>\n
However, securing prior approval from the West Nusa Tenggara
\nprovincial legislative council, a requirement to run in the
\nelections, could prove difficult for Al Rasyid to attain as
\ncouncil members have appeared unhappy with the reports.<\/p>\n
Jamani said Al Rasyid had the right to nominate himself in any
\ngubernatorial election as long as he completed his present
\ntenure.<\/p>\n
\"His candidacy would stir public opinion that he has not been
\nserious in governing the province over the past three years. And
\n(people may say) that it's the reason the province has made no
\nsignificant progress in development,\" he said.<\/p>\n
The Jakarta gubernatorial election, which will be the first
\ndirect election ever, is scheduled for Sept. 17.<\/p>\n
The NTB council's plenary meeting suggested on Wednesday the
\ngovernor merge five provincial agencies -- fisheries, forestry,
\nagriculture, husbandry and plantations -- into one office.<\/p>\n
The merger, according to the council, would be in line with
\nattempts to reduce routine budget spending.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/council-threatens-to-expel-al-rasyid-1447893297",
"image": ""
},
"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
}